Spielberg's stolen art

Steven Spielberg

UNITED STATES - A Norman Rockwell work stolen from suburban St Louis more than three decades ago was found in Steven Spielberg's art collection, the FBI announced.

The painting, Rockwell's Russian Schoolroom, was snatched during a late-night burglary at a gallery on June 25, 1973. The Oscar-winning filmmaker purchased the painting in 1989 from a legitimate dealer and didn't know it was stolen until last week.

The painting is valued at $US700,000 ($NZ1,024,290) FBI officials said. Spielberg is cooperating with the FBI and will retain possession of the painting until its "disposition can be determined," the bureau said.