The file of documents relating to the theft and recovery of two paintings by JMW Turner in Tate’s Collection: Shade & Darkness – the Evening of the Deluge (Shade & Darkness) and Light & Colour (Goethe’s theory) – the Morning after the Deluge – Moses Writing the Book of Genesis (Light & Colour), will be made available at Tate’s Research Centre for the first time from today. The documents include the Court Order authorising the transaction and all relevant supporting documentation.
The successful recovery operation meant that Tate recovered the paintings for the benefit of the nation. Having made payments of £8 million to the insurers for title to the paintings and £3.5 million for the recovery, Tate recovered property that had a value (by 2002) of approximately £35 million as well as approximately £23 million for the benefit of the Collection.
Tate’s Director, Sir Nicholas Serota said:
Now that the confidentiality provision in the Court Order has been lifted, we are pleased to be able to make these documents available to the public at Tate Britain. The documents, which could not be released at the time of the recovery, set out the arrangements and conditions under which the paintings were recovered. They tell the story of a recovery operation which is one of the most extraordinary episodes in Tate’s history.