A 16th-century painting stolen from a mansion and found at a bus stop 7 years later was sold for $22.3 million.

"The Rest on the Flight into Egypt" is one of the early works of the famous Italian painter Titian, depicting the journey of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph seeking refuge in Egypt.

SOLD AT RECORD PRICE

Christie's auction house announced that the artwork, discovered by a British art detective, was sold at a record price on Tuesday, 22 years later. The painting, completed around 1502, became the most expensive Titian artwork sold at an auction.

The painting was purchased by the 4th Marquess of Bath in 1878 and hung on the walls of his mansion for over a century. However, in 1995, the artwork titled "The Rest on the Flight into Egypt" was stolen along with two other paintings.

FOUND AT A BUS STOP AFTER SEVEN YEARS

The painting, missing for seven years, was found in 2002 by the renowned art detective Charley Hill. Hill rescued the painting, which was held by an elderly man at a bus stop in London, based on a tip-off. Hill passed away in 2021.

The value of the painting, which has nearly quadrupled over time, is not the only famous artwork that has been recovered. Paul McCartney was reunited with the bass guitar on which he recorded the hit "Love Me Do" after 51 years.