UPPER NITHSDALE, Scotland, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Scottish detectives were searching Wednesday for the thieves who stole a Leonardo da Vinci painting valued at $47 million from a Scottish castle.
Officials told the BBC as many as four men raided Drumlanrig Castle Wednesday morning and escaped with the Madonna with Yarnwinder, a painting that was displayed in the staircase hall of the castle, an area open to the public.
A car used by the thieves in their escape was later found abandoned in a wooded area near the castle.
A police spokesman said two men posing as visitors overpowered a staff member and stole the painting.
The BBC said the castle -- home to the Duke of Buccleuch, who is one of Scotland's richest men -- contains many valuable artworks and antiques, including works by Rembrandt and Holbein.
The da Vinci work, which experts say was painted between 1500 and 1510, depicts the Madonna with the infant Jesus holding a cross-shaped yarnwinder. It is said to symbolize the crucifixion of Jesus.
