Spanish police say they have recovered three of five Francis Bacon paintings stolen in 2015 and estimated to be worth about $30-million.

The art was stolen from the Madrid home of a friend of the artist in what is thought to be the biggest theft of contemporary art in Spain.

Bacon, who was born in Dublin and died in Madrid in 1992 at the age of 82, was considered one of the most prominent artists of his era.

Ten people have been arrested in connection with the case.