An iconic photograph of Winston Churchill, famously known as “The Roaring Lion,” has been recovered after going missing from an Ottawa hotel, replaced by a forgery.
Taken by renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, the portrait captures Churchill shortly after delivering a stirring speech to Canada’s parliament.
On Wednesday, Ottawa police announced the photo, believed to have been stolen between December 25, 2021, and January 6, 2022, was discovered in the possession of a private buyer in Genoa, who was oblivious to its stolen status.
The work had passed through an auction house in London before reaching Italy.
Authorities have arrested a 43-year-old man from Powassan, Ontario, in connection with the theft and subsequent sale of the photograph. Despite a publication ban preventing the release of his name, it’s reported that the suspect faces serious charges, including forgery, theft, trafficking, and damage to property. The arrest occurred on April 25, and he appeared in court the following day.
The theft was first noted on August 19, 2022, when staff at the Château Laurier hotel discovered the original photo had been swapped for a fake. “We are deeply saddened by this brazen act,” the hotel’s general manager stated at the time.
Karsh’s famous image of Churchill, which depicts the prime minister looking formidable after having a cigar removed from his mouth, is one of the most recognized portraits in history. As part of the investigation, officials employed tips from the public, forensic analysis, and open-source research to identify the suspect. In a forthcoming ceremony, Canadian investigators will travel to Rome for the formal return of the artwork, bringing a notable chapter of art theft to a close.
