Two Art Heists, 50 Years Apart: Expert Says Canada Is a ‘Soft Target’

Estrellita Karsh wife of legenary photographer Yousuf Karsh stands in front of the iconic 1941 photograph of Winston Churchill taken by her husband in the Speaker of the House of Commons' chambers on July 14, 2009. The Canadian Press/Fred Chartrand

OTTAWA—It’s not clear how they did it: was it a clandestine operation, carried out under the cloak of darkness? An elaborate ruse, designed to fool onlookers? Or something else?

However it happened, it’s clear those who stole a world−famous portrait of Sir Winston Churchill from the Château Laurier planned the heist meticulously.