Sisters fight to reclaim father’s stolen artwork after 16-year search

Two sisters have launched a fresh battle to recover a painting by their late father after discovering it is being offered for sale at public auction. Hadassah and Zelilah Bao have spent nearly two decades tracking down works stolen from their father Yosef Bao’s museum in Tel Aviv. The Israeli artist’s collection was plundered over the years, with pieces appearing in unexpected places — from flea markets to private collectors’ homes. Now, with another painting about to go under the hammer, the sisters have turned to police in a bid to halt the sale. “This is our family’s heritage,” they said, emphasising the cultural and personal significance of recovering their father’s life work.

The sisters’ recovery efforts have met with some success over the years. They have managed to retrieve several items, including a drawing discovered at a local flea market and multiple paintings located in the hands of collectors. However, the ongoing disappearance of works from Yosef Bao’s museum highlights the vulnerability of Israeli cultural institutions and the challenges faced by families in recovering stolen art. Each recovery represents a small victory in what has become a lengthy and frustrating campaign to preserve their father’s artistic legacy.

The discovery of the latest painting for sale has reignited the family’s determination to act swiftly. By involving law enforcement, the Bao sisters hope to prevent the artwork from being sold to an unknown buyer, which could complicate future recovery efforts. The case underscores broader questions about art theft, the responsibilities of auction houses, and the struggles families face in protecting cultural heritage from being dispersed into the market.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.