Bosnia and Herzegovina Reports Increased Count of Missing Artworks
As per our sources, the Center Against Trafficking in Works of Art, has revealed a significant update in its database tracking missing works of art sought by Bosnia and Herzegovina. The revised figure now stands at 234, which is a rather notable increase from the earlier tally of 188.
46 Previously Stolen Artworks Added to the Database
This upward revision of the total number of missing artworks comes in the wake of the Center’s addition of 46 artworks previously stolen from the celebrated Bosnian artist, Jusuf Jusa Niksic. Out of these, the majority, 45 to be precise, were taken from Niksic’s workshop in Mostar during a robbery on the night of 28-29 December 2013. One of the artworks had been missing since the wartime period.
A Case Under Investigation
The theft was reported to the local law enforcement authorities, the Mostar Police Administration. The case is presently being handled by the Prosecutor’s Office of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. At the time of the said burglary, these stolen pieces were assessed to be worth nearly half a million marks, equating to roughly 250,000 euros. However, their current market value is expected to be even higher.
Jusuf Jusa Niksic- A Noteworthy Figure
Jusuf Jusa Niksic holds a significant place in the field of Bosnian, and the former Yugoslavian art, given his notable contributions to the art community in Mostar. He was known for his dedication towards the Association of Fine Artists of Bosnia and Herzegovina and his esteemed position as a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo until 1991.
Preserving Cultural Identity
The update of the database and the ongoing efforts to locate and restore these stolen pieces underline the commitment of the Center Against Trafficking in Works of Art. This endeavor is aimed at not just recovering the stolen artworks, but also preserving an integral part of Ibosnian society’s cultural identity by ensuring the nation’s priceless art heritage is returned and respected.
