Stolen Chagall and Picasso paintings found in Antwerp basement

The painting 'Tete' by Pablo Picasso (via REUTERS)
The painting 'Tete' by Pablo Picasso (via REUTERS)

Stolen paintings by the artists Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall have been discovered by police in a basement in Antwerp.

Belgian police found the pieces - by two of the 20th century's most influential artists - are still in good conditions.

The paintings, Picasso's "Tete" and Chagall's 'L'homme en priere' were stolen from an art collector in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2010 and are worth $900,000.

At the time of the theft, $680,000 worth of jewellery was also stolen.

Only the paintings have been found.

Chagall's 'L'homme en priere' (REUTERS)
Chagall's 'L'homme en priere' (REUTERS)

Local police had started an investigation when a source informed them that a Belgian national was offering both artworks for sale.

The local prosecutor said on Tuesday a main suspect has been arrested.