Theft of Gainsborough's Duchess of Devonshire portrait (1876–1901)

In May 1876, Thomas Gainsborough's portrait of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, was stolen from a London gallery. The theft involved Adam Worth, who retained the painting for 25 years. The artwork, purchased by William Agnew for a record sum, was highly publicized. Worth later negotiated its return through Pinkerton's agency, though the painting eventually reached the Duke of Devonshire's collection in 1994.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Thomas Gainsborough painted Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, around 1785. The portrait, featuring her in a fashionable black hat, became famous. In 1876, the painting was sold at Christie's in London for 10,000 guineas, a record price, to art dealer William Agnew. This acquisition set the stage for the subsequent theft from Agnew's gallery.

The Theft. Three weeks after the auction, the painting was stolen from the London gallery of Thomas Agnew & Sons. The crime was highly publicized, with newspapers reporting claimed sightings for years. Adam Worth, a crime boss, personally stole the painting with two associates. Worth retained the artwork for 25 years, living in London under an alias.

Recovery and Return. In early 1901, Worth negotiated the painting's return to Agnew's son through the Pinkerton detective agency for $25,000. The exchange occurred in Chicago, and the painting arrived in London months later. Although Worth returned to London, the painting was eventually purchased by the 11th Duke of Devonshire in 1994, returning to Chatsworth House.

People involved

Sources

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