Nearly four decades after their brazen theft, two significant paintings by renowned Taos Society of Artists members have been recovered and will be returned to the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos, New Mexico. Victor Higgins' *Aspens* and Joseph Henry Sharp's *Oklahoma Cheyenne* will be publicly revealed on June 6, 2025, marking a remarkable resolution to a long-forgotten art heist.
The paintings' journey home began with an investigative reporter's phone call in late 2023, which prompted museum leadership to reexamine the 1985 theft. Through extensive research and collaboration with the FBI, the museum's Art Recovery Task Force meticulously documented the paintings' history and tracked their whereabouts.
The recovery connects to a broader narrative of art theft in the Southwest, paralleling the well-known case of the Willem de Kooning painting stolen from the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Investigations revealed that the Harwood paintings were sold at a Scottsdale auction house in 2018, with altered titles that obscured their true provenance.
FBI Special Agent Susan Garst, who led the investigation, emphasized the significance of returning these cultural artifacts to their rightful home. The paintings not only represent valuable artworks but also embody the rich artistic legacy of Taos and the Taos Society of Artists.
The June 6 event will feature a public unveiling and a screening of *The Thief Collector* documentary, allowing the community to celebrate the paintings' return. For the Harwood Museum, this recovery represents more than retrieving lost art—it symbolizes the preservation of cultural memory and artistic heritage.
Victor Higgins and Joseph Henry Sharp, both influential artists who captured the essence of the Southwest, will once again be celebrated through these restored works. Their paintings will rejoin the museum's collection, offering visitors a glimpse into the artistic traditions that shaped Taos's cultural landscape.
