The Top 6 biggest art thefts in history
1. Mona Lisa
As one of the most notorious art thefts of the 20th century, Mona Lisa by Leonard Da Vinci was stolen by Vincenzo Preuggia, a worker hired to by the Louvre. Preuggia was hired to install protective glass cases for some of the most famous works in the Louvre, including the “Mona Lisa”.
With such access, Preuggia was able to simply hide the artwork under his smock and walked out. Peruggia claims it was Italian patriotism and his desire to return the artwork to his homeland that lead him to steal Mona Lisa. After 2 years, Peruggia attempted to sell the artwork to an art dealer and the director of Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Peruggia served seven months in jail for the theft.
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
With such access, Preuggia was able to simply hide the artwork under his smock and walked out. Peruggia claims it was Italian patriotism and his desire to return the artwork to his homeland that lead him to steal Mona Lisa. After 2 years, Peruggia attempted to sell the artwork to an art dealer and the director of Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Peruggia served seven months in jail for the theft.
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
2. Ghent Altarpiece
The most stolen artwork of all time, the Ghent Altarpiece has endured 13 almost devastating incidents and seven thefts. Painted by prolific Flemish painters, brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck, the 12 panel altarpiece was completed in 1432. A century later, Calvinists made the first attempt at its destruction, breaking into Saint Bavo Cathedral with intent to burn the altarpiece. Numerous times since its conception, the Ghent altarpiece was looted and panels were exchanged frequently between owners. It wasn’t until 1920 that the altarpiece was once again fully complete.
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
3. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I
Like the Ghent Altarpiece and thousands of other artworks, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I was taken by the Nazis in 1938. In her will, Adele wished for the painting to be donated to Austrian State Gallery after her husband’s death. Although with the impeding war, her husband fled their estate, leaving behind the artwork.
The eventual heir of the artwork, as indicated by her husband’s will, was Maria Altmann, a niece of the Bloch-Bauers. For decades, Maria fought a legal battle with the Austrian government in order to reclaim the artwork. Finally in 2006, the Austrian government was ordered to return the artwork, to Maria and the other heirs. Later that year, Maria would auction off Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I to Esteé Lauder heir, Robert Lauder for $135 million.
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
The eventual heir of the artwork, as indicated by her husband’s will, was Maria Altmann, a niece of the Bloch-Bauers. For decades, Maria fought a legal battle with the Austrian government in order to reclaim the artwork. Finally in 2006, the Austrian government was ordered to return the artwork, to Maria and the other heirs. Later that year, Maria would auction off Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I to Esteé Lauder heir, Robert Lauder for $135 million.
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
4. Whitworth Art Gallery
Found in a boarded-up and graffiti-covered public restroom were £4 million worth of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Paul Gauguin. The artworks were found three days after their heist from Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery. The police later dubbed the public restroom, which was 200 meters from the art gallery, the “Loo-vre”. The three artworks, Fortification of Paris with Houses by van Gogh, Poverty by Picasso, and Gauguin’s Tahitian Landscape, were found rolled up along with a note from the thieves, claiming “The intention was not to steal. Only to highlight the woeful security.”
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
5. Munch Museum
On August 22, 2004, masked gunmen entered the Munch Museum during museum hours and stole The Scream and Madonna by Edvard Munch. At the time, the paintings were worth a combined estimate of $19 million, which made them two of the most valuable paintings in the museum’s collection. Two gunmen threatened security guards before taking the paintings off the walls and escaping into an awaiting getaway vehicle.
A bystander was able to photograph the gunmen before they made their escape. Despite a bystander taking photos of the gunmen and video footage of the escape vehicle, the paintings would take two years to recover. During that time several arrests were made and rampant rumors arose that the paintings had been burned to destroy the evidence. The museum director announced that the paintings, recovered on August 31, 2006 were slightly damaged but could be repaired.
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
A bystander was able to photograph the gunmen before they made their escape. Despite a bystander taking photos of the gunmen and video footage of the escape vehicle, the paintings would take two years to recover. During that time several arrests were made and rampant rumors arose that the paintings had been burned to destroy the evidence. The museum director announced that the paintings, recovered on August 31, 2006 were slightly damaged but could be repaired.
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
6. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The March 18, 1990 art heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is considered to be the biggest art theft in history. At 1:24 am two men dressed as police officers approached the employee entrance of the museum. They claimed to be there to investigate a disturbance. After being granted entrance to the museum, the two thieves overpowered the two lone security guards on night duty and stole 13 masterpieces from renowned artists such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt, Edouard, Manet, and Edgar Degas.
The 13 masterpieces are collectively estimated to be worth $500 million. Initial investigations lead authorities to suspect everyone from black-market collectors to Boston mobsters to even Vatican officials. During the 25 year search, the initial leads proved to be false. As the years passed, officials investigating the robbery continually reached dead ends, as many of the suspects of the case had passed away. Thought to be the last living link to the theft, authorities arrested 79-year old Robert V. Gentile during a sting operation in 2015. Although, as officials could not find incriminating evidence against Gentile, he was not charged after his arrest.
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
The 13 masterpieces are collectively estimated to be worth $500 million. Initial investigations lead authorities to suspect everyone from black-market collectors to Boston mobsters to even Vatican officials. During the 25 year search, the initial leads proved to be false. As the years passed, officials investigating the robbery continually reached dead ends, as many of the suspects of the case had passed away. Thought to be the last living link to the theft, authorities arrested 79-year old Robert V. Gentile during a sting operation in 2015. Although, as officials could not find incriminating evidence against Gentile, he was not charged after his arrest.
Information obtained from saatchiart.com
People Recreate Works of Art With Objects Found at Home During Self-Quarantine
Like many cultural institutions, the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles is closed due to the spread of the coronavirus. But during this challenging time, the Getty has found a way to keep people engaged with their art—even though they can’t see it in person. They’ve challenged their social media followers to “recreate a work of art with objects (and people)” from the comfort of their own homes. And the internet did not disappoint.
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