A historic English painting that was stolen more than 50 years ago by New Jersey mobsters has finally been returned to its rightful owner after an extensive two-year FBI investigation. The painting, titled "The Schoolmistress," was created by renowned artist John Opie around 1784 and was taken from the home of Francis Wood, who is now 96 years old, in Newark back in 1969.

The long-awaited return of this valuable artwork was made possible through the collaborative efforts of FBI agents in Salt Lake City and detectives from the Metropolitan Police in London. Their joint investigation led them to Washington County, Utah, where a judge recently ruled that “The Schoolmistress” rightfully belongs to Francis Wood. This ruling has brought immense joy and relief to the Wood family, who have been longing to see their stolen heritage returned.

Special Agent Gary France expressed his gratitude for being part of this significant recovery, emphasizing the importance of reuniting a family with their stolen cultural artifact. He described the case as a “win-win” situation, highlighting the triumph of history and justice. The FBI's involvement in such a positive outcome was a rare joy for the agents, who often witness the scars left behind by criminal investigations.

David Wood, the son of Francis Wood, shared his excitement about the painting's return, acknowledging that it does have a few minor blemishes. Considering its age of 240 years and the tumultuous journey it has undergone, the painting remains in remarkably good condition. Wood expressed his gratitude towards those who had taken care of the artwork throughout its time in the hands of various individuals.

“The Schoolmistress” is an oil-on-canvas painting measuring approximately 40 inches by 50 inches. It depicts an elderly woman, possibly modeled after Opie's own mother, teaching children in a modest classroom in Opie's hometown of Cornwall, England. This particular painting holds great significance as it is a sister piece to another artwork by Opie, which is currently held at the Tate Britain gallery in London. The sister painting played a pivotal role in launching Opie's career when it was exhibited at London's Royal Academy in 1784. Opie went on to create numerous historical scenes and was even commissioned to paint portraits of the royal family. In 2007, one of his paintings fetched an impressive 457,300 pounds ($580,000) at an auction.

For five decades, the stolen painting was believed to be in the possession of organized crime groups. However, in 2021, an accounting firm in Washington County, Utah, made a surprising discovery. While handling the estate of a deceased client, they stumbled upon “The Schoolmistress” among the client's belongings. The deceased client, whose identity remains undisclosed, had purchased a house from Joseph Covello Sr., a convicted mobster.

This incredible turn of events has brought closure to a chapter that began over half a century ago. The return of “The Schoolmistress” not only restores a valuable piece of art to its rightful owner but also serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between law enforcement agencies. The Wood family can now cherish their stolen heritage and celebrate the recovery of this significant painting that has witnessed a tumultuous journey spanning generations.