The True Story of Art Thieves and the Hunt for a Missing Masterpiece

In the early hours of March 18, 1990, two thieves disguised as police officers broke into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. They stole 13 works of art, including paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Degas. The total value of the stolen art was estimated to be over $500 million, making it the largest art theft in history.

The FBI immediately launched an investigation, but the thieves were never caught and the paintings were never recovered. Over the years, there have been many theories about who stole the paintings and where they might be hidden. Some people believe that the paintings were stolen by the Irish Republican Army (IRA),while others believe that they were stolen by a group of art collectors.

The Rescue Artist: A True Story of Art, Thieves, and the Hunt for a Missing Masterpiece

by Edward Dolnick

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5214 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	376 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
X-Ray	:	Enabled

FREE

In 2015, the FBI announced that it had identified two suspects in the art theft. The suspects were Robert Gentile and Myles Connor, two career criminals with a history of art theft. However, Gentile died in 2016 and Connor has never been charged with the Gardner Museum theft.

The search for the missing masterpieces continues to this day. The FBI has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the recovery of the paintings. The Gardner Museum has also launched a campaign to raise awareness of the theft and to encourage people to come forward with any information they may have.

The theft of the Gardner Museum paintings is one of the most famous unsolved art crimes in history. It is a story of greed, intrigue, and mystery. The paintings have never been recovered, and the thieves have never been caught. But the search for the missing masterpieces continues, and one day they may be found.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a museum in Boston, Massachusetts, that houses a collection of art from around the world. The museum was founded in 1903 by Isabella Stewart Gardner, a wealthy art collector. Gardner's collection includes paintings, sculptures, furniture, and textiles from Europe, Asia, and America.

The Gardner Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Boston. Visitors come from all over the world to see the museum's collection of masterpieces. The museum is also home to a beautiful courtyard garden, which is a popular spot for weddings and other events.

The Art Theft

On the night of March 18, 1990, two thieves disguised as police officers broke into the Gardner Museum. The thieves disabled the museum's security system and stole 13 works of art. The stolen art included:

• The Concert by Johannes Vermeer
• The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt
• A Lady with a Unicorn by Raphael
• Five Landscapes by Edgar Degas
• Three Landscapes by Édouard Manet
• A Self-Portrait by Rembrandt
• A Chinese Guanyin

The total value of the stolen art was estimated to be over $500 million. The theft was the largest art theft in history.

The Investigation

The FBI immediately launched an investigation into the art theft. The FBI interviewed witnesses, searched for evidence, and followed up on leads. However, the thieves were never caught and the paintings were never recovered.

Over the years, there have been many theories about who stole the paintings and where they might be hidden. Some people believe that the paintings were stolen by the Irish Republican Army (IRA),while others believe that they were stolen by a group of art collectors.

In 2015, the FBI announced that it had identified two suspects in the art theft. The suspects were Robert Gentile and Myles Connor, two career criminals with a history of art theft. However, Gentile died in 2016 and Connor has never been charged with the Gardner Museum theft.

The Search for the Missing Masterpieces

The search for the missing masterpieces continues to this day. The FBI has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the recovery of the paintings. The Gardner Museum has also launched a campaign to raise awareness of the theft and to encourage people to come forward with any information they may have.

The theft of the Gardner Museum paintings is one of the most famous unsolved art crimes in history. It is a story of greed, intrigue, and mystery. The paintings have never been recovered, and the thieves have never been caught. But the search for the missing masterpieces continues, and one day they may be found.

Legacy of the Theft

The theft of the Gardner Museum paintings has had a profound impact on the art world. The theft has led to increased security at museums around the world. It has also raised awareness of the importance of art conservation and preservation.

The theft of the Gardner Museum paintings is a reminder that art is not just a commodity. Art is a part of our cultural heritage, and it is something that should be treasured and protected.

The Rescue Artist: A True Story of Art, Thieves, and the Hunt for a Missing Masterpiece

by Edward Dolnick

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5214 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	376 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
X-Ray	:	Enabled

FREE