Three paintings by Van Gogh, Picasso and Gaugin, which were stolen from the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, UK, during the night of 26 April are now back on display.

The paintings, thought to be worth around £4m, were recovered from a disused public toilet the day after the theft, wrapped in a cardboard tube, after an anonymous tip-off. A note from the thieves claimed the art was taken to highlight poor security at the gallery.

One of the paintings – Van Gogh’s Fortifications of Paris with Houses – had to be restored by the gallery's paper conservator, Nicola Walker, after it suffered a 15cm tear.

Commenting on the paintings' return to the gallery, director, Alistair Smith, said: "As a public art gallery, we are committed to ensuring that our wonderful collection of art and design is on display for as many people as possible to view and enjoy. I am therefore delighted that these precious works have been recovered in good condition and have been re-mounted and re-framed for public exhibition".

All three paintings were donated to the Whitworth Art Gallery in the 1930s and form part of an extensive collection that includes work by artists as diverse as Rembrandt, Turner, LS Lowry, David Hockney and Damien Hirst. The gallery is part of the University of Manchester and entrance is free. Details: www.whitworth.man.ac.uk