by Julia Griffin

“Norfolk woman refuses to hand over 16th-century Italian painting identified as stolen…
Barbara De Dozsa’s husband bought Madonna and Child by Antonio Solario in 1973
after it was stolen from a museum”
—The Guardian

Antonio “The Gypsy,” tinker’s son,
Venetian painter of indifferent fame,
Painted St. Benedict in Naples, came,
Apparently, to England, painted one
Virgin and Child in Birmingham; that done,
Most probably went home. Sometimes his name
Gets muddled with another’s, much the same;
Thus far the facts. But now begins the fun.
Another of his Virgins, gained by theft,
Was sold, and the possessor seeks to squash
The suit of the museum thus bereft:
Her name’s De Dosza, and she’s seeking dosh.
But none will buy, and she won’t give, or show.
At least we’ve heard now of Antonio.