The Iconic Inside Job, Continued

I hope readers have noticed that CultureGrrl has been out ahead of other news outlets on the Hermitage theft story. But I was "behind" those who said unequivocally that the icon found in the trash yesterday was one of the Russian museum's stolen objects. This statement today from the Hermitage tells you why:

In the course of investigative and field operations surrounding the criminal theft of exhibits [objects] from the State Hermitage, on 3 August 2006 an icon of the Assembly of All Saints was discovered which is similar to the one which disappeared from the museum. Final conclusions will be made after art and jewelry experts complete their examination.

The State Hermitage asks all art collectors, antiques dealers and lovers of Russia's past to assist in the search and to return to the museum art works that are listed and illustrated on the site of the State Hermitage.

The list of the 221 stolen objects has now been posted on the museum's website in English, but as far as I can see, they are NOT, as the above statement avers, "illustrated on the site of the State Hermitage." It's hard to know what objects to look for if you don't know what they look like.

If "final conclusions" show that the discarded icon is indeed one of the missing works, and if the anonymous caller was telling the truth yesterday when he told police that he had purchased the work a few years ago, then what dealer Peter Schaffer said to me yesterday---that some of the stolen works may already have gone on the market---looks to be true, and the Hermitage's recovery job looks to be that much more formidable.

One thing's for sure: The Hermitage needs to get the information about these works, including their photographs, out to the art community immediately, so that everyone can be on the lookout and so that galleries and auction houses that may already have seen these works can provide the Russian authorities with needed leads.

And museums everywhere, even those with better security, need to regard this giant inside job as a loud wake-up call.