Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Stolen Solonovich Paintings Returned

This painting of Martin Luther King was among those stolen and returned.^

The person who took three paintings by artist George Solonevich, which have been missing since April, has apparently finished with him. They were found outside the president’s house at Roanoke College this morning, according to an RC release.

No one saw the person or persons who left the paintings near the back door of the home on Market Street. Roanoke College Campus Safety was called to the home and secured the paintings.

The investigation into the disappearance will continue. At least two frames were slightly damaged and the glass on one was scratched but the paintings themselves did not appear to be damaged.

The three paintings found today feature President John F. Kennedy, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and Adolph Hitler. “We are delighted the Solonevich paintings have been returned to the college in undamaged condition,” Roanoke College President Michael Maxey said. “This artwork is valuable and unusual and of great importance to us in terms of the political and cultural statements the paintings make. It’s great to have them back. We look forward to having the entire collection together soon.”

The reward previously offered by Roanoke College for the safe return of the paintings has been cancelled. The paintings were noticed to be missing in the early morning hours of April 9 in West Hall, where a collection of Solonevich paintings was displayed.

The Solonevich collection has now been removed from West Hall until security can be reviewed. George Solonevich, son of an anti-communist political writer, was born in Russia at the beginning of the Russian Revolution, and as a dissident, escaped political persecution in four countries before coming to the United States. After moving to the United States, he settled in Roanoke County.

The “Movers and Shakers” collection express the feelings and emotions of Solonevich, who lived, as well as observed, some of the most tumultuous times in our century.

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