The Stolen Painting

Andre Masson, a seasoned specialist in modern art, receives a letter claiming a long lost Egon Schiele canvas has resurfaced in Mulhouse. The message hints that the painting, thought to have vanished in 1939, is now in a private collection and ready to be authenticated. As he follows the trail, the discovery unsettles him and throws his judgments into question. The supposed find could elevate him in the art world or ruin him, depending on whom he trusts and what the proof shows. With mounting pressure from dealers, museums, and rivals, Andre must decide where his loyalty lies and what the truth is worth. Rumors circulate, private letters surface, and he questions the cost of truth.

Directed by Pascal Bonitzer, The Stolen Painting blends wit with tension in a world where art and ambition collide. It stars Alex Lutz as Andre, with Léa Drucker, Nora Hamzawi, Louise Chevillotte and Arcadi Radeff.

Box office details for The Stolen Painting have not been publicly released, so its commercial performance remains unclear. The film appears aimed at festival and arthouse audiences, prioritizing dialogue and character over spectacle.

As of now there are no widely reported awards or nominations for The Stolen Painting. Its reception so far suggests a niche appeal that rewards subtle performances, crisp writing, and a keen eye for the art world without leaning on big prize recognition. Awards potential is uncertain.

The film uses brisk dialogue to probe authenticity, provenance, and the ethics of possession. It blends drama with light humor to keep the tension human, letting strong performances reveal competing desires and moral choices. Alex Lutz and Lea Drucker bring nuance, grounding the drama in everyday ethics.