Massachusetts State Police Unit Investigating Theft Of Portraits

Pittsfield, Mass.

:The Berkshire County unit of the Massachusetts State Police is investigating stolen artwork believed to have been pawned in the Hartford, Conn., area last December.

Involved are two paintings.

The first is a framed oil on canvas portrait of Marie Elisabeth Johann Erzherozog v. Oesterre, commissioned in 1793. The portrait size is 29½ by 23½ inches and the frame is dark gold with inlaid flowers. The background of the portrait is dark. The sitter is portrayed as a young girl, 16 years of age, with short blonde hair and blue eyes.

The girl is seen from the top of her head to her waist; she is looking straight ahead at the viewer. She is wearing a bare shouldered blue corset made of heavy fabric with gold highlights and her hands are in front of her. On the back is written in German "Isabella von Oesterrich (Isabella of Austria)."

A smaller painting is oil painted on wood, measuring approximately 12 by 8 inches. The frame is dark gold and plain. The background is dark brown or black. A young girl is portrayed standing in a bedroom, wearing a long white nightgown. She is looking down, braiding her hair with one hand while the other hand holds a candle. Behind the girl on the left is a bed and nightstand with candle. Behind her on the right is a bright spot in the painting of a stained glass window, which is colorful and depicts a religious image.

Anyone having information about the paintings is asked to contact Trooper Michael Scott of the Massachusetts State Police at 413-499-1112 or 413-447-5531.