It was stolen on July 11, 1976, from the home of Boris Shishiptorov at 16 Village Road, Woodmont – CT  by two Russian men who purchased a carpet for $200, with counterfeit money.  The piece was probably concealed in the carpet.

Antonio Allegri da Correggio (1489-1534) Italian Renaissance Master, a student of Leonardo da Vinci

It is supposedly a scene of the Holy Family. Five people are depicted – all centered within the canvas. They are Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, a child and a maiden. It is a rendering of the holiness of Jesus Christ.

Approximately 19 by 20 inches.

Correggio was a Da Vinci student. This piece resembles Da Vinci´s use of light, colors, and hues. The back ground is darkened.  Bellow is a description of each person depicted:

Mary: Sits to the left of the painting holding Jesus, on her invisible left leg. Her right arm supports his back and the tip of her thumb gently touches his upper elbow, while her pointer nearly touches the center.  Her hair is blondish grey, styled in a classic, simple lose updo, where the bow is at the height of her eyes. Her head is slighted tilted down, her attention on the child. Her left arm is extended, the inner palm of her hand is opened wide, and one of her fingers touches the child´s right elbow.

Jesus: Nearly a year old , wearing only a white cloth wrapped around his bottom, with an uncommonly big forehead, (takes up half his face) his right arm gently touches the cloth of Mary´s left sleeve. He looks toward the child.

Joseph: Clearly much older than Mary – cotton hair and beard, bald, large forehead  – he stands in the middle of the four, slightly curved, tilted to the right. His right hand is tilted down and his thumb nearly touches Mary´s neck.

Child: A blonde pre-teen, he is either sitting or kneeling, naked from the waist up, arms crossed on his chest, head tilted to the left, looking at Mary´s open left hand.

Maiden: Wearing a shepherdess hat, her left arm is around the child´s back, she looks at Mary.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

- It is listed in the FBI Art Theft Database

- The painting was unframed.

-  It was estimated at approximately US 1million in 1976 when it was stolen.  The owner had shown it to a member of the Rockefeller family – whose name is not known for sure – who offered US 250,000.00 to the owner saying it was: “to help you out”.

- Stolen on July 11, 1976, from the home of Boris Shishiptorov at 16 Village Road, Woodmont – CT  by two Russian men who purchased a carpet for $200, with counterfeit money.  The piece was probably concealed in the carpet.

- An art dealer, Mr. Shishiptorov advertised several items for sale in a New York City Russian newspaper.

- The police officer who handled the case at the time was Det. Capt. Douglas Sherman.

- It was supposed to go to the Metropolitan Museum one day after the theft, where it would be safe and under adequate climate conditions. The museum curator at the time was Mr. Thomas Hoving, who served from 1967 to 1977.

- At the time, a few art galleries questioned the authenticity of the work, some stated it was not a Correggio. Yet, it is unlikely that these institutions had access to the piece, which was recognized as an authentic Correggio by Mr. Stepanoff, who passed away in 1976.

If you have any information, please contact the family case manger at:

hypabn@aol.com

Or:

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Art Theft Program

Major Theft Unit, Room 3247

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20535

(202)324-4192;  fax (202)324-1504

Email:  bmagness@leo.gov

Dear God,

Well, our mini-vacation was a wonderful retreat to refresh our minds and body. Only a month left before school is out! Yeah! I’ll be able to spend more time with my boys that I adore!

We have traveled to Lancaster so often, that it is starting to feel like our second home. The area is just beautiful, and the peaceful Amish community is always so welcoming. The theater was playing, “Behold the Lamb”, and I knew that this would be a remarkable opportunity for our family to witness the life and events that transpired up until the time of the crucifixion. However, I was not as prepared for the overwhelming emotion that it brought to my heart. I was so captivated by the realistic portrayal of Jesus, that it was as if I were truly a spectator in the days of the New Testament. We were captivated by the miracles that You performed and the love that never ceased during your days here. To think that you only walked this earth for approximately 30 short years, but changed the face of history for every ones lifetime. This is but another true testament to Your holiness.

As I sat in the audience, I watched in amazement as Jesus was taken from the garden, arrested, beaten and whipped. I felt totally helpless. I had to ask myself, would I have been as Peter, and denied You, to save myself  the harm that was inflicted by the Roman soldiers?  Would my association with You, have been as the disciples?  Would I have followed You through the land, watching the miracles that man could not explain, only to abandon You when the authorities came and violently took You to Pilate? Would I have defended You and pleaded to Pilate, and the townspeople to let the completely innocent Messiah go free? I can only speculate that there must have been a fear that coursed through the veins of those disciples, that kept them from fighting back. Even when Peter took the sword of the soldier and cut off his ear, was there any appearance of camaraderie for all of the experiences that they had shared together?

As they beat Jesus, and the blood dripped from his body, I felt the overwhelming urge to spring from my seat and cover his body. I wanted so badly to cry out, “STOP”! I am the guilty one, not Him!

I had to remind myself that this was only a reenactment of the actual event that changed the course of history forever. I then knew that no matter what century I reside within, I have to stand up for You always. I must never be afraid to proclaim my faith in Jesus Christ. I must never be too shy to tell others about Your saving grace. If You could live each and every day with the same temptations that we are faced with, but deny Satan the satisfaction of defeat; then I know that I must do everything possible to live my life with Your same tenacity. I must never allow others to veer my path, when I know that You are on the road, just straight ahead. I can not let gossip, hate, prejudice, or lies keep me from seeking Your face and Your word.

As You carried that old rugged  cross to Calvary, I know that each footstep must have been pure torture . I can only imagine that Your body was ravaged with pain and Your heart was heavy with the task at hand. But, I feel sure that the greatest agony had to come at the moment when the Heavenly Father had to turn away from You, as You bore each and every sin that mankind had, or ever would, commit against God.

As the bible attests too, there are multiple prophesies that confirmed who would be the coming Messiah. Each and every one had to be fulfilled exactly as the prophets had written. Only one could ever fulfill each and every one of them. Jesus,  there is no question that You were the prophesied Messiah. The Lamb that was slain for the sins of the world. I remember as a child, learning about Passover. At the time, I though it to be a bit gruesome, that a little lamb was slain, and his blood spread over the door post so that death would pass by those who obeyed You. But, You always have a Holy agenda to complete Your plan that was set into play from the moment that history began.

I thank You God, that Your love for us was so great, that You were able to carry that cross, and to be nailed to it, for the sins that I committed. I am so grateful that there was a perfect Lamb that could be sacrificed for all men, women, and children. A Lamb that bled for the iniquities that others commit without regard for Your pain and suffering. A Lamb that washed my sins away and wrapped me with righteousness, white as snow. I praise You for also being the Shepard that would leave the ninety-nine to find the lost one. The one who wonders away and needs to be found again.

This experience has had a profound effect on my heart. I have a new appreciation for the history that surrounds this dramatic time for the whole world to reflect upon. For even those who do not believe that You are the Messiah, they have to admit that never, was there another, who lived a life sinless and only spoke of how everyone could be saved by speaking the words of repentance. So many other religions are cluttered with rules and contingencies that are required for a peaceful afterlife. It hurts my heart to think that there are so many who truly don’t understand just how easy it is to open the door and let You walk in. You stand at the door and knock, and so many pretend to not hear. So many ignore the multiple opportunities to accept forgiveness for sin, and feel an extraordinary love that cannot be explained by words alone.

For those who question their future, I have but one thing to say, “Behold the Lamb”, the one that has come to take away the sins of the world! You were born and lived a meek life as a little lamb, but Praise God! You will return as a Lion and cast Satan into the pit forever. I only pray that each and every person that I love, will come to know You and accept You. For those who are waiting in their own time, I fear that they do not fully understand that in waiting just one more day, they could spend an eternity regretting a decision that only takes a moment to change.

Change the hearts of those who have hardened themselves, I pray Oh God! Never stop knocking and waiting for their decision, until You return to take us home. I know that this wicked world is so horrible, that even watching over the saved, means viewing atrocities that many can not fathom. I ask for the words to speak, that may change someones mind about how they will choose to spend their days upon the earth. I ask that You give me the ability to reach others with my testimony of  healing and how You have blessed me beyond measure.

Giving all the Glory to the Lamb that was Slain, “Behold, The Lamb of God”,

Gina

Last night I went to a performance of Behold the Lamb, and my heart is profoundly full.  Behold the Lamb is a dramatization of the ministry of Christ, with full sets, costumes, etc.; it successfully takes your mind back to what it must have really been like to live in the culture and times of the first century.

As I consider what I saw last night, I am overwhelmed at the cost that was paid for my sin.  People who know me think I’m a pretty decent guy, but they don’t live inside my head.  Watching the way Jesus forgave and healed others, I could so easily see myself in them.  For example, Jesus took a man who was blind from birth and gave him sight.  As I watched that scene, I knew that I am that blind man, oblivious to much of the truth, living inside the world I have created for myself, sensing reality in a distorted way.  Think of the other people that Jesus healed and forgave: adulterers, lepers, lame people, demon possessed, weak of faith, even the dead.  I identify with each of these conditions, and if you knew my soul you would place me there, too.  Multiple times I was reduced to tears and sobs as I saw on the stage the real representation of my soul.  If I had any temptation to overlook the blackness of my offense, that was completely wiped out at the view of Jesus on the cross, bloodied and bruised and dying as a representation of what God thinks of my sin.

The key, I think, is to identify with the sin and disease, but not to live there.  How joyous it was to see that this same humiliated Jesus arose from the grave in victory over condemnation!  They sang the song He Holds the Keys, and one particular part especially speaks to me…

And to all the things that have kept you away
That keep you defeated day after day after day
The heartache that nobody sees
That eats at your soul like a cruel disease
He who set the captives free
It is He, it is He who holds your keys

Thank you, Jesus, for reaching into my black soul and pouring in your light!  May I never forget who I really am, what I’ve done, how I’ve offended you.  But may I never question your love, your power, and your commitment to me.  You have captured my heart, Jesus; please never let me go.

My copy of Behold the Lamb by Andrew Peterson arrived a few days ago and since then we’ve been enjoying the album, even though it’s really for the Christmas season.

Of course, we are particularly savouring Matthew’s Begats and the Queen loves the song so much that she keeps on nicking the lyrics sheet and trying to sing along. Just in case you wanted to aswell, I’ve found the lyrics on the web.

I’ve also found a Matthew’s Begats book which I’m considering buying for the kids (and my godchildren), which comes with a cd of the song and the story of the people in it.

If the Queen cracks the lyrics I’ve promised I’ll upload her singing it onto YouTube. Watch this space….

Just been reminded of this great song by Andrew Peterson based on the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel. It makes me smile, especially when he sings ‘Listen very closely, I don’t want to sing this twice.’

I’m planning to buy the album ‘Behold the Lamb’, which I’ve just found is less than a fiver. Maybe a bit late for this Christmas but I’ll be word perfect with the genealogy by next year…

It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David’s town

And the stable was not clean
And the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother’s hand to hold

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love

Noble Joseph at her side
Callused hands and weary eyes
There were no midwives to be found
In the streets of David’s town
In the middle of the night

So he held her and he prayed
Shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
For little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
It was a labor of love
…Andrew Peterson from Behold the Lamb

Andrew Peterson is doing his annual national tour along with several other Christian artists (like Derek Webb) between Thanksgiving and Christmas called Behold the Lamb of God.  Through song, Peterson traces the birth of the Messiah through the story of Moses and on up through the proclamation of John the Baptist.  This is a performance that truly captures the story of Christmas by not reducing it to just 2 chapters in Matthew and Luke.   I have not seen this performed live but am told it is well worth it.

Wanna go?   They are performing this year on Tuesday, Dec. 16th at Westover Church in Greensboro, NC at 7PM.   For more information about Andrew Peterson and the tour you can check out the their website here:  Behold the Lamb   Let me know if you are interested either by posting a comment here or at church.  

To wet your appetite here are two of the songs live.   This is Derek Webb performing Deliver Us…

And Peterson doing Behold the Lamb…

Behold the Lamb! Maurice Griffin and MG Ministries sing Behold the Lamb!