Van Goghs stolen from Amsterdam museum shown in Naples after mob bust

Two Van Gogh paintings stolen from Amsterdam in 2002 and then recovered in the home of a mafia boss in Italy last year, is currently on show in Naples, Italian news site The Local reports. The paintings are on show in Naples until February 26th, as a thank you to the city for the local police's role in tracking them down.

The two paintings, "Seasfront at Schevningen" from 1882 and "Congregation leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen" from 1884/5, were stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in December 2002. There was no trace of them until they were found in a raid on a house belonging to a top ranking member of the Camorra last year. How they ended up in Italy is still unclear.

The paintings were initially considered evidence in the case against the mafia, and it was thought that it would be years before they could return to the Netherlands. But in January an Italian court ruled that the paintings could be released and sent home. Exactly when they will return to Amsterdam is unclear, though it is expected to be soon, Van Gogh Museum director Axel Ruger said in January.