Claude Monet’s Beach at Pourville (1884)

Claude Monet’s Beach at Pourville recovered this week by Polish police has been returned to the National Museum in Poznan, western Poland.

The work of the French impressionist was stolen from the Museum nine years ago. It was recovered in Olkusz , southern Poland. A 41 year old man suspected of the robbery was arrested.

For two days the painting, worth over one million dollars - has been thoroughly examined in police laboratories before being returned to the Poznan collection. The work is slightly damaged. The thief cut it out from the frame when stealing it - and replaced it with a fake - and its edges are torn.

The painting will go on public display in June after museums conservationists repair the damages and a special exhibition is prepared.

Beach at Pourville is the only painting by Claude Monet in Polish art collections. It was bought by the Poznan Museum in 1906. (ab/pg)