Bolivia: Artwork stolen from a church more than 50 years ago is restored

The painting of Saint Barbara, a work created by the Bolivian artist Leonardo Flores in the second half of the 17th century, which had been stolen from the church of Puerto Acosta, in the department of La Paz, returned to Bolivia after 50 years.

It is estimated that the stolen work first arrived in Brazil, and there it was auctioned and acquired by a Chilean-American collector who was unaware of its origin, and took it to New York, where it was part of art exhibitions.

It was an expert in sacred art who identified the piece in New York, and the recovery work had the collaboration of Interpol, UNESCO and various cultural institutions, who found the painting in Chile.

Its authenticity was verified through a technical analysis process that included an X-ray study that determined that the pigments corresponded to the materials used in the 17th century.

The management of the return was in charge of the Chilean authorities at the Consulate General of Bolivia in Santiago.

In 2023, while the recovery of the work of art was being managed, the cultural manager Lupe Meneses had pointed out The Opinion: “It was a magnificent work by Leonardo Flores, with the theme of Santa Bárbara, one of the most important painters of the La Paz school.”

Devotion to Santa Bárbara is of great importance in the Andean region, as it is considered protective against lightning and storms, so the return of this work marks both the importance of cultural heritage and religious symbols valued by Bolivians.

This double cultural and spiritual importance of the painting’s return to Puerto Acosta was highlighted in the ceremony by the Bolivian Consul General in Chile, José Pinelo, who thanked the efforts made.

Among the outstanding works of Leonardo Flores is also “Parable of Poor Lazarus”, from the parish of San Pedro, in the city of La Paz, which today is part of the Cathedral museum.