Seven people have been arrested in Spain on suspicion of involvement in the theft of five paintings by Francis Bacon, worth a total of €25m (£19m). The paintings were stolen last July, along with other valuables belonging to the owner, who is reported to have been a close friend of Bacon. El País quoted a source as saying the works were stolen last June, but news of the theft was only made public earlier this year. Related: Francis Bacon: Invisible Rooms; Maria Lassnig review – an embarrassment of richesThe customer, who is suspected of involvement in the crime, was among those arrested, along with a Madrid art dealer and his son. “It is not at all easy to sell a Francis Bacon, large or small, without that getting to the ears of those who pore over such a rarified sector,” said the expert, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Source: The Guardian May 28, 2016 12:26 UTC