A valuable painting by renowned early 20th-century British artist Percy Wyndham Lewis has been stolen from a residential property in Bristol, England, in what could be one of the highest-value art thefts the city has seen in recent years. The artwork, titled "Abstract Composition" and painted in 1921, was taken during a burglary that has prompted an extensive police investigation involving house-to-house inquiries and comprehensive CCTV analysis.

The stolen painting was created by Percy Wyndham Lewis, a celebrated English modernist painter who founded the influential Vorticism art movement before World War I. Vorticism was a distinctive artistic style that combined elements of Cubism and post-impressionism, establishing Lewis as one of Britain's most prominent modern artists of the 1920s. The movement, however, was disrupted by the outbreak of World War I, during which Lewis served in the trenches before becoming an official war artist.

After returning from the war, Lewis resumed his artistic career and created "Abstract Composition" in 1921 as part of a new exhibition called "Tyros and Portraits." As he entered his late 40s, Lewis gradually shifted his focus from painting to writing, eventually becoming an acclaimed novelist and magazine writer. Despite this career transition, his artistic works have maintained significant value in the contemporary art market.

While the exact current value of the stolen artwork remains unknown, auction records indicate that the painting was offered for sale at an auction house in September 1990 for £40,000. The value of Wyndham Lewis's works varies considerably at auction, depending on factors such as whether the piece is a sketch, pen drawing, or full painting like the stolen "Abstract Composition." His major works sold during the 2010s and 2020s have commanded prices well over £50,000, with several pieces fetching six-figure sums.

The theft occurred at an address within Brandon House, a Georgian building located on Brandon Steep, adjacent to the Unite Students Brunel House complex. The property is situated between City Hall and Brandon Hill, close to Bristol's city center. Police have confirmed that the painting was the only item stolen during the burglary, which took place on Monday, August 25.

Avon and Somerset Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the theft, conducting extensive CCTV reviews and house-to-house inquiries to establish the exact timing of the theft and track the artwork's whereabouts. The investigation has expanded beyond traditional police work to include alerts sent throughout the international art community, warning auction houses and dealers about the stolen painting and requesting immediate contact if the work is offered for sale.

"We are appealing for information following the theft of a painting from a property in Bristol," stated a spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police. "The art was reported stolen during a burglary at a property in Brendon Steep on Monday 25 August. We are now appealing to members of the public to help us locate the artwork and for anybody who may have been offered it for sale to contact us."

The police spokesperson emphasized the thoroughness of the ongoing investigation, noting that "CCTV and house-to-house enquiries have been carried out, and no other items were stolen." Authorities are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may know the painting's current location, has been offered it for sale, or witnessed any suspicious activity on the day of the burglary. The public is encouraged to call 101 quoting reference number 5225241717, or to complete an online appeals form to provide information that could assist in recovering this significant piece of British art history.