18th-Century Painting Stolen by Mobsters Recovered After 54 Years
Stolen in 1969, John Opie’s ‘The Schoolmistress’ has been recovered by the FBI after circulating among mobsters for decades. The 18th-century masterpiece was returned to the original owner’s family, ending its illicit journey.
By Beth Snider · January 29, 2024
An 18th-century British painting, believed to have been stolen by New Jersey mobsters in 1969, has been recovered and returned to its rightful owners after more than half a century. The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office announced the successful resolution of the case on Friday, January 11, 2024.
The painting, a 40-inch-by-50-inch masterpiece titled “The Schoolmistress” by renowned British artist John Opie, was returned to Dr. Francis Wood, 96, of Newark. Dr. Wood is the son of the painting’s original owner, Dr. Earl Wood, who purchased it for $7,500 during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
The FBI’s involvement in the case began in December 2021 when a Washington County accounting firm, acting as a trustee for a deceased client, sought to liquidate the client’s property. During the appraisal of the painting for auction, suspicions arose regarding its origin and ownership. The firm contacted the FBI, triggering a two-year investigation that uncovered the painting’s illicit journey.
According to FBI Special Agent Gary France, the stolen artwork had been passed among organized crime members for decades after its theft in 1969. The painting’s whereabouts remained a mystery until it resurfaced in St. George, Utah, in the possession of a man who had unknowingly acquired it in 1989.
The painting was included in the sale of a Florida home purchased from Joseph Covello Sr., a convicted mobster linked to the Gambino family. When the buyer passed away in 2020, the accounting firm sought an appraisal for the painting, leading to the discovery of its likely stolen status.
"This piece of art, what a history it’s had, It’s quite amazing."
John Opie, a prominent historical and portrait painter from the Cornwall region, was known for depicting both British royals and scenes from everyday life. “The Schoolmistress” vividly depicts an elderly educator in the midst of a group of youthful students..
The investigation revealed that the painting was stolen from Dr. Earl Wood’s residence in 1969, with involvement from former New Jersey state Sen. Anthony Imperiale. Although Imperiale was implicated in the burglary, the claims against him were never sufficiently corroborated, and he was never charged.
No charges have been filed since the painting’s recovery, as all individuals believed to be involved have since passed away. The three men responsible for the theft were convicted of other mob-related crimes before their deaths. The recovered painting, estimated to date back to 1784, is currently in good condition and undergoing cleaning and appraisal.