Unveiling Dutch Art Sleuth’s Triumph: Six More Stolen Paintings Found | Netherlands.

A renowned Dutch art detective, often referred to as the “Indiana Jones of the art world,” has successfully recovered six additional paintings, including a portrait of William of Orange and the earliest known depiction of a 7th-century king.

Arthur Brand, who gained worldwide attention last month for finding a stolen Van Gogh painting hidden in an Ikea bag, believes that his recent high-profile success has led to these new discoveries.

Last month, thieves stole six paintings from the town hall of Medemblik, located in the northern region of the Netherlands.

Although the stolen artwork has a monetary value of only about €100,000 (£87,000), these paintings hold significant historical importance. Among them is the earliest known portrait of Radbod, the king of the Frisians in AD680.

Brand recounted that on Friday night, while he was watching football at home, he received an unexpected visitor. A man in a van requested his assistance in unloading some merchandise. With a smile, the man revealed that the merchandise was the stolen paintings from Medemblik.

Brand had previously made a statement in the Dutch press suggesting that the thieves should have stolen six bicycles instead, as they would have been easier to sell. He believes that these comments, combined with the widespread publicity surrounding the recovery of the Van Gogh painting, prompted the thieves to return the stolen artwork.

He added, “In some cases, thieves resort to burning the stolen paintings to eliminate any evidence when they realize they cannot sell them. So, I am grateful that they made the right decision. Stealing is wrong, but returning the artwork is a step in the right direction.”

Brand is now hoping that the success he achieved with the Van Gogh recovery will lead to the retrieval of another valuable artwork: Frans Hals’ masterpiece, “Two Laughing Boys.”