The National Anthropology Institute says the paintings — “The Adoration of the Three Kings” and “The Birth of the Virgin” — were found in an art gallery in Tlaquepaque, a town near the city of Guadalajara. They were on sale for US$35,000.

The paintings were stolen on Sept. 5, 2008, from the Santa Matilde church in Pachuca, the capital of central Hidalgo state.

Authorities decline to provide details on the investigation that led to the art gallery.

The institute said Friday it determined the recovered paintings were authentic because they had signs of deterioration that matched photos taken of the artworks in the church.