Portugal’s Judicial Police last week seized 278 artworks and archaeological objects in a raid that has left a number of open questions.
The objects, which had been in the hands of a former domestic employee, include works by 27 artists including Picasso, Miro, Hockney and Durer along with ancient artifacts going as far back as the Neolithic era.
The arrests are hardly the end of the case: because Portugal has become a waypoint for illegal art and artifact trade prior to new regulations that took effect last June, officials are now faced with months or years of work to identify where the items came from and who are the actual owners.
