A Picasso painting that was stolen from the government of France has been found among Christmas presents being shipped into New Jersey last December, in what prosecutors said was a “blatant ruse” to smuggle a priceless work of art into America.
Wishing the recipient, named only as Robert, “Joyeux Noël”, the label on the packaging described the object as “art craft” and placed its value at €30, according to court papers.
Officers for Homeland Security who seized the parcel as it passed through the port of Newark were sceptical of the valuation when they examined the thickly painted canvas, nearly 50cm high and 33cm wide. They summoned two senior members of staff from the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris.
Late last month Veronique Sorano-Stedman, the