Potosí: Reclaims Its Lost Art | Recupera su Arte Perdido

By Brujula Digital:

Potosí recovers two colonial paintings repatriated from the United States

The United States Embassy funded a security system so that the San Martín church can once again host the paintings.

Fragment of the painting Virgin of Candelaria. Photo: US Embassy

After 23 years, the San Martín church in Potosí will recover two masterpieces of colonial art: Flight into Egypt and Virgin of the Candelaria, which had been stolen in 2002. Although the works were already repatriated in 2015, only now will the temple debut a state-of-the-art security system that provides the guarantees needed to preserve its heritage.

The United States Embassy in Bolivia helped with the recovery efforts and financed the equipment for the church. In a press release, it announced that the return will take place on Friday the 21st. “We are very proud to contribute to this historic moment. These paintings, of incalculable value, will finally return to their original home, where they can be admired and protected. This project reflects our friendship with Bolivia and our commitment to preserving its rich cultural history,” said the embassy’s chargé d’affaires, Debra Hevia, in the statement.

The restitution of the paintings is part of “USA Weekend, Celebrating Potosí,” an event with a broad program within the framework of the International Culture Festival. On November 21 and 22, at the Teatro IV Centenario, there will also be a concert celebrating Bolivian-American friendship, the screening of a classic American comedy film, and English-club sessions open to the community. A fair will also be set up with the participation of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE).

BD/RED

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