Artist Brian Korteling in front of his display space in St Margaret's Church, St Benedicts Street, Norwich from where one of his paintings were stolen. Photo: Steve Adams

A Norwich artist has spoken of his anger at having one of his oil paintings stolen from a city exhibition.

A Few Trees by Brian Korteling. The painting has been stolen from an exhibition at St Margaret's Church of Art, off St Benedicts Street, Norwich.

Brian Korteling’s landscape, A Few Trees – which depicts a scene near Cley in north Norfolk – was stolen from An Arts and Crafts Christmas exhibition at St Margaret’s Church of Art, off St Benedict’s Street.

Mr Korteling, who had priced the painting at £70, said he believes it was taken on Monday sometime before 4.30pm, when he noticed there was an empty space where the painting had been.

He said: “I guess in a weird sort of way it is a backhanded compliment, but it is also quite insulting for someone to think it is okay to take it off the wall and walk out with it.

“Paintings are very individual things and I will never be able to repeat that painting. If someone buys a painting then it is a different thing because they are saying, ‘I like this painting and I value it,’ but if someone steals it, it feels like they are taking a liberty. It is quite gutting.”

The exhibition the painting was in includes work by about 26 local artists.

Mr Korteling, who organised the exhibition, which runs until Saturday, said: “It had been a great success with lots of visitors but this has really put a damper on things.”

Norfolk police are investigating the theft.

Anyone with information should call Norwich East SNT on 101.