TWENTY years after a valuable artwork was stolen, a new BBC podcast reveals the story of its return.
The nine-part series, titled The Missing Madonna, will feature secret recordings which have never been made public, asking serious questions about the way in which stolen artwork is returned.
The Madonna of the Yarnwinder – a Leonardo da Vinci painting – was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway in 2003.
The artwork is estimated to be valued at £30 million, which the BBC says makes it "the most valuable painting ever to be stolen in Britain".
The painting is now on display in the Scottish National Gallery, and is owned by the Duke of Buccleuch, one of the largest private landowners in Scotland.
Thieves reportedly paid the £6 entrance fee to the castle, before overpowering a female guide and fleeing the scene in a white Volkswagen Golf.
The podcast is led by Olivia Graham, daughter of Robbie Graham, one of the private investigators tasked with finding the stolen artwork.
The story will be told through a series of interviews with those involved as well as experts in the field of recovering stolen artwork.
Gareth Hydes, commissioning editor at BBC Scotland, said: “This series vividly brings to life one of the most remarkable stories from the art world.
“It has the classic ingredients of a thriller – plot twists, intrigue, jeopardy and larger-than-life characters.
“The series will take the audience on a gripping journey, revisiting scenes which are crucial to the story and hearing from many of those who were involved in the drama.”
All episodes of The Missing Madonna will be available on BBC Sounds from August 25.
