Peter Rosson’s sister reveals how false Picasso heist accusations marred late artist’s life

Being accused of involvement in the infamous theft of a Picasso painting haunted a Geelong artist, whose work will be celebrated in a new exhibition.

Peter Rosson and his brother Stuart. Picture: Supplied

Being wrongly implicated in the infamous theft of a Pablo Picasso painting haunted late Geelong artist Peter Rosson for the rest of his life.

Rosson’s career was marred by accusations of being involved in the theft of the Weeping Woman from the National Gallery of Victoria in 1986, according to his sister Judy Rosson.

He died by suicide aged 48 in Sydney in 2002, after years of declining mental health.

Rosson was born in Geelong in 1954 and attended Geelong College.

He was a prolific painter, with more than 600 works, and a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize in 1979 and 1987.

But Rosson became embroiled in an art heist that shocked Australia in 1986.

A group calling itself the Australian Cultural Terrorists was behind the theft, and the plan was reportedly hatched at an arts gathering.

Painting "Weeping Woman" 1937 by artist Pablo Picasso. Art

A report from the Sun newspaper said: “Late on that Saturday afternoon (August 2), according to the art world sources, one of the inside men entered the gallery, quite legitimately, through the front entrance.

“He then armed himself with one of the all-too-common unauthorised security keys and, much rarer, one of only a handful of the specifically moulded screwdrivers used to detach the painting from the wall, and an assortment of other tools needed to extricate the painting from its frame.”

“He … placed a prepared gallery card in the space left by the painting, stating that the Picasso had been removed for photography.”

Front page of newspaper 'The Sun'. August 5, 1986.

Ransom letters demanded the Victorian Arts Minister announce a commitment to increase arts funding.

By August 19, it was agreed that to hold on to the painting, which the gallery had purchased for $1.6m the year prior, for much longer would lead to discovery and prosecution, according to the report.

The painting was placed in a locker at Spencer St station, and the media tipped off.

This is where the stolen Picasso painting hung in the National Gallery of Victoria.

Rosson and his then girlfriend, who had met at art school in Geelong, were swept up in the scandal.

Days after the painting’s discovery, after police released descriptions of two women seen carrying a parcel at Spencer St station, detectives carried out a raid on Rosson’s Melbourne studio.

A sketch of woman carrying a brown package looked very similar to Rosson’s then-partner, Ms Rosson said.

Rosson and his former partner were later cleared of any involvement by police.

Peter Rosson pictured with his sister Judy and three of her daughters. Picture: Supplied

Rosson was never able to acquire the names of the informants making accusations, however he was told that there were at least four and they were from Geelong, according to his sister.

The crime remains unsolved.

Ms Rosson, who lives in Belmont, said her brother had never fully recovered from the harm done to him, personally and professionally, after being framed.

“After years of torment and worsening mental health, he sadly ended life at the age of 48

years, devastating his family, friends and colleagues,” she said

His talent will be on show in a new exhibition.

Ms Rosson said the family was determined to celebrate her brother’s work and share it with the world.

“This exhibition is our way of honouring his life’s work and sharing it with others who

have appreciated his trailblazing work as a painter,” Ms Rosson said.

She said profits from the sale of any paintings would go to Beyond Blue and a trust to preserve Rosson’s life’s work.

The exhibition will be held at The Hue and Cry Collective, 64-66 Ryrie Street.

Opening night is Saturday, October 7 from 7pm until 9pm, and the exhibition runs until October 28.

It will feature paintings spanning 25 years of Rosson’s career, including works never shown before.

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Originally published as Peter Rosson’s sister reveals how false Picasso heist accusations marred late artist’s life