"Rembrandt under water"

[John Preston]

Recently came across this article ...
Does anyone know what the outcome of the story? >


A very valuable find today rests on the bottom of the Gulf of Finland. Along the coast of Finland, was found sunk in October 1771 sailing "Frau Maria", who drove to Catherine II 27 paintings of Dutch masters (among them - paintings by Rembrandt.) The value of cargo, according to preliminary estimates - more than 1.5 billion euros!

Catherine, as you know, I knew a lot about painting. For the Winter Palace, she ordered in the Netherlands of the best masters not only of the time, but in earlier periods, having laid out for them, even the huge money in those days. For example, for the work of artist Gerard Dou was paid 15,000 guilders (at current prices - EUR 500 million). Masterpieces were sealed in a lead tube with wax sealed cover. Critics hope that this will protect the paintings from destruction.

In addition to paintings on board were porcelain, bronzes and barrels of gold coins. But on the way got a ship in a storm and sank. The Empress even sent an expedition to rescuing the goods but at the time the 41-meter depth was not available to them.

On the ship, no one remembered, until 10 years ago, Finnish divers have found perfectly preserved in salted water craft. Russia did not show him any interest, and valuable cargo went to Finland. By law, all that lay within Suomi over a hundred years, belongs to the State. Although it is known that the goods belonged to the Russian Empire, and indeed at that time Finland was part of it.

Fortunately, the Finns decided to "share" with Russia, and jointly raise the vessel. Salvage operation began only this year. Will ship up entirely or only divers will extract the precious cargo, it is not clear. But if all goes well, this will be the most expensive in the history of underwater catch.