Dutch art sleuth recovers six historic paintings

THE HAGUE – A Dutch art detective dubbed the “Indiana Jones of the Art World” has recovered another six paintings, including a portrait of William of Orange and the first depiction of a seventh-century king.

Art sleuth Arthur Brand made headlines around the world last month when he recovered a stolen Van Gogh stuffed in an Ikea bag, and he believes that widely publicised success is leading to more discoveries.

Thieves made off with the latest six paintings from the town hall of Medemblik, in the north of the country, last month.

While the monetary value of the haul is not huge — around 100,000 euros ($105,000) — the paintings are considered of great historical significance, including the earliest known portrait of Radbod, king of the Frisians from 680AD.

Brand was sitting at home on Friday night watching football when the doorbell rang and a man in a van asked…