Flower Market Madeleine by Edouard-Leon Cortés was stolen from Herbert Arnot Gallery in the 1950s or 1960s (Picture: Art Recovery International)

A painting that was stolen from a New York City gallery six decades ago in a $1million heist has been recovered more than 3,000 miles away in the UK.

The painting by French post-impressionist Edouard-Leon Cortés, titled Flower Market Madeleine, was taken from the Herbert Arnot Gallery sometime in the 1950s or 1960s. It has turned up in Lancashire, Art Recovery International announced on Tuesday.

It was one of more than 3,000 paintings that Arnot Gallery manager and salesman Louis Edelman sold and invoiced buyers under his name and behind his employer’s back.

Edelman in 1966 decided to leave his job at the gallery at 250 West 57th Street to open his own close by. After getting away with selling several thousands of works worth more than $1million, Edelman was arrested by the FBI in Chicago and convicted of transporting stolen art across state lines.

The stolen works have since been popping up for sale at galleries and auction houses across the globe.

Flower Market Madeleine was put up for sale by Carnes Fine Art, a dealer in Mawdesley, earlier this year.

‘We are very grateful to Bradley Carnes, Capes Dunn, and their vendor for releasing this stolen painting unconditionally to the Arnot Gallery,’ stated Art Recovery International founder and lawyer Christopher Marinello.

‘While in this instance, we were able to convince many of the parties to reimburse the other, eventually there will be those who are out of luck.’

Flower Market Madeleine by Edouard-Leon Cortés has been recovered 3,300 miles away from New York City, in Lancashire. 

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