Experts Say Ohio State Art Heist May Have Started As Prank

Police said on Tuesday that the theft of a popular painting from an Ohio State University building may have started as a student prank.

A portrait of Charles MacQuigg, painted by Ohio artist James Hopkins in the late 1930s or early 1940s, was pried from its case after more than 20 years hanging in MacQuigg Laboratory, CrimeTracker 10's Jeff Hogan reported.

"Maybe this was a prank or just some young person thinking this would be a cool painting to hang up in their dorm room," Kenneth Kushner, a facilities and laboratory manager at Ohio State, said.

Kushner said that he had learned a lot about the painting and its creator since its theft earlier this week.

"I've learned quite a bit about him in the last 24 hours," Kushner said. "He's actually quite famous, and his works are quite popular."

Several of Hopkins' paintings hang at Ohio State.

Ohio State arts department experts said that estimates for the painting vary, but the piece of art could be worth up to $25,000.

Police said that a higher price tag on the painting would bring more severe punishment if a person was caught with the portrait, Hogan reported.

Kushner said that there were no security cameras in the hallway where the painting was displayed.

"It's hard to keep these doors locked," Kushner said. "There's 14 ways in and out of this complex."

Officials from Ohio State's student newspaper, The Lantern, said that they planned a podcast on the theft, and the British Broadcast Corporation had scheduled and interview.

Kushner said that there were about a dozen people investigating the missing painting.

"I just hope we get it back," Kushner said.

Artist James Hopkins was born on a farm in Union County in 1877. In the early 1900s, he won many awards for his post-Impressionist works featuring women along with Appalachian farmers.

Later in his career, Hopkins returned to central Ohio to head the Ohio State University's fine arts department.

Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for more information.