Stolen Churchill Portrait Found in Italy to Return to Ottawa Hotel

A famous portrait of Winston Churchill, known as “The Roaring Lion,” has been recovered in Italy after being stolen from a prominent Ottawa hotel.

The artwork, a notable photograph taken by Armenian-born Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, was reported missing in August 2022.

The portrait had been a significant piece at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa, a location where Karsh had lived and worked. The photograph, which depicts Churchill with a stern expression after Karsh removed a cigar from his mouth, became an iconic symbol of wartime Britain and even appeared on British currency.

Hotel staff discovered in August 2022 that the original portrait had been replaced with a forgery. An investigation by Ottawa police, aided by public tips and forensic analysis, led to the portrait’s recovery in Genoa, Italy. The artwork had been sold through an auction house in London to a buyer in Italy, who was unaware of its stolen status.

The 43-year-old suspect, from Powassan, Ontario, was arrested in April 2024. He faces charges including theft, forgery, and trafficking in stolen goods. Police noted that both the auction house and the Italian buyer were unaware that the portrait was stolen.

The portrait is expected to return to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier within the coming weeks. Hotel General Manager Geneviève Dumas expressed relief and anticipation for the artwork’s return, highlighting its importance as a cherished part of the hotel’s history.