John Singleton art theft: Rare painting stolen from Mount White home

Police are on the hunt for thieves who stole a $120,000 painting from millionaire John Singleton’s Central Coast home. See the artwork.

Thieves have stolen a $120,000 Australian painting from millionaire ad man John Singleton’s Central Coast home.

Police said the thieves broke into the Mt White property in the early hours of October 7 and made off with the Arthur Boyd painting, Lovers In A Boat, which was hanging in the lounge room.

The theft was not from Mr Singleton’s main residence, the sprawling Strawberry Hill Stud, but from another property he owns nearby and adjacent to his Saddles restaurant.

Larrikin adman John Singleton at his at his Strawberry Hill Stud. Picture: Justin Lloyd

A source close to the investigation said the thieves must have been to the house before and knew about the painting and how much it was worth.

Police said a few other items of little value were also taken but would not say what.

Mr Singleton is not commenting on the theft of the distinct painting which depicts a person throwing a rainbow, one hunched over on the beach and a couple in a makeshift boat.

A police source said art theft was a fairly rare crime in Australia.

“It’s possible it could be sold to someone overseas already, ‘’ he said.

The $120,000 piece of art.

The theft of Mr Singleton’s artwork is the latest in a smattering of art heists in recent years.

In February, an oil painting by Archibald finalist Laura Jones worth up to $12,000 was stolen from a Mascot business.

Ms Jones had created the painting to auction at the National Art School’s Home: Bushfire Relief Art Auction Fundraiser when it was stolen from the business she had taken the artwork to be photographed at.

Originally published as John Singleton art theft: Rare painting stolen from Mount White home