A stolen portrait of Winston Churchill, famously known as 'The Roaring Lion,' has been successfully retrieved and returned to its rightful place at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa. The portrait, captured by renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, was stolen and replaced with a forgery sometime between Christmas Day 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022. The swap went unnoticed until August when a hotel worker discovered the discrepancy in the frame.
The hotel's general manager, Genevieve Dumas, unveiled the portrait during a ceremony, ensuring it is now securely displayed. The iconic image of Churchill, which also features on the U.K.'s five-pound banknote, depicts the wartime prime minister with his intense gaze focused directly at the viewer.
Yousuf Karsh had gifted this portrait to the hotel after living and working there for many years, adding to its historical significance. Unfortunately, it found its way through auction channels to a private buyer, who, remarkably, did not know it was stolen.
A man from Powassan, Ontario, was charged with forgery, theft, and trafficking related to the stolen portrait. The return of this iconic artwork has been greatly anticipated, marked by dignitaries' attendance, including Ottawa's mayor.
At the ceremony, the buyer, Nicola Cassinelli, who acquired the portrait unwittingly, spoke about its importance, saying it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Despite proudly hanging it in his home, Cassinelli recognized its rightful place is within public view.
The original theft was elaborate and executed with impressive stealth. Hotel staff did not notice the portrait was missing until more than seven months later, when the assistant director of engineering, Bruno Lair, observed something odd about the frame.
More than just art, this portrait has ties to history. Its removal during the pandemic reflects not only on the potential vulnerability of cultural treasures but also the ease with which they can disappear. Historian Ronald Cohen, president of the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Ottawa, emphasized the portrait’s representation of Churchill’s determination during World War II.
After over two years of intense investigations led by detectives unused to art crimes, the police uncovered the portrait's path through auction houses culminating at Sotheby’s London before it arrived at Genoa, Italy, where it was displayed within the living quarters of its new owner.
The case itself highlights the darker, unpredictable underbelly of the art world, which can often seem removed from public view yet has real repercussions. Detective Akiva Geller, who handled the case as part of his duties with the Ottawa Police Service, said he was both surprised and challenged by such art-based investigations, which have less clear-cut outcomes than, say, dealing with robbery and homicide.
Tracing the piece involved reviewing auction documents, interviewing experts, and collaborating with international authorities, including Italy’s Carabinieri, known for their own historical and art restoration work. By pushing through the slow mechanisms of art law, Geller managed to connect various dots leading back to Canada.
When the portrait finally returned home, its reinstatement came not just as another art story but as part of Canada’s cultural heritage reclamation. It sparked conversations among community members and attendees about what we value and how we protect those values.
With its return, the hotel has taken significant precautions to safeguard the masterpiece. Dumas explained they have installed improved security: "I can tell you it is armed, locked, secure, alarmed, behind plexiglass—it’s not moving," she stated confidently, ensuring visitors will see it safely.
At the ceremony, Genevieve Dumas, with pride, expressed the importance of the portrait not merely as decor but as part of the collective memory of the nation. The portrait initially hung prominently within the hotel for many decades, cementing its role as both art and artifact.
This portrait stands as a powerful reminder of resilience, history, and the human spirit, capturing Churchill's resolve during one of the darkest chapters of modern history. The image has inspired countless throughout the years and will undoubtedly continue to do so, now housed again where it can be appreciated by the public for years to come.
While the heist and its resolution highlight the importance of art and history, they also reflect on the moral responsibilities we have toward preserving such treasures. The act of returning the painting was hailed as symbolic of bringing light back to what had been hidden and missing. The public can now enjoy 'The Roaring Lion' once again, the gaze of Churchill unwavering, ever vigilant.
