Heirs to Bic Pen Fortune Seek Painting They Say Chauffeur Stole

April 1, 2026, 9:30 AM UTC

Heirs to the fortune created by Bic pens are suing a prominent Chilean businessman, seeking the return of a coveted 15th-century painting that they say was stolen from the family by a former employee.

The fight is over a work by Italian Renaissance artist Fra Angelico that Bic founder Marcel Bich bought in 1972 for £130,000 ($172,000), according to court records. It was initially thought to depict Saint Peter, the first pope, but has since been reinterpreted as being of Saint Sixtus, another early pontiff.

The painting by Italian Renaissance artist Fra Angelico depicts Saint Sixtus, one of the world’s first popes.

Chilean businessman and art collector Alvaro Saieh acquired the painting in 2018 for $5.4 ...

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