Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Rembrandt's 'A Lady and Gentleman in Black' - one of the paintings stolen in the heist FBI
Heist

FBI offers reward for paintings worth $500 million stolen in 1990

The heist – one of the biggest ever in the United States – included works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.

TWENTY-THREE YEARS AFTER one of the biggest art heists ever in the US, a reward of $5 million – around €3.8 million – is being offered for the return of the 13 artworks stolen in the robbery.

The artworks, which include paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer – were taken from a Boston museum in 1990.

This week, the FBI said it had made “significant progress” in the hunt for the paintings and that it believes it now knows the identity of the thieves. However it has not been able to trace the location of any of the pieces.

“With considerable developments in the investigation over the last couple of years, it’s likely over time someone has seen the art hanging on a wall, placed above a mantel[piece], or stored in an attic,” said FBI special agent Geoff Kelly, who is the head of the investigation.

On 18 March 1990, two men dressed as police officers entered the Gardner Museum in Boston where they overpowered security guards before stealing the 13 artworks.

The FBI says it has discovered that the artworks were moved to Connecticut and Philadelphia in the years after the theft from the Boston museum, and some of the art was offered for sale  - “but we haven’t identified where the art is right now,” said FBI special agent Richard DesLauriers.

The thieves are believed to be members of a criminal organisation based on the east coast of America, the FBI said at a press conference this week.

The $5 million reward is being offered for information that leads directly to the recovery of all of the objects in good condition.

“Over the past three years, I have visited the museum several times, and each time I entered the Dutch Room and saw the empty frames I was reminded of the enormous impact of this theft,” said US Attorney Carmen Ortiz.

“I do remain optimistic that one day soon the paintings will be returned to their rightful place.”

FBI offers reward for paintings worth $500 million stolen in 1990
1 / 7
  • Self-Portrait by Rembrandt

  • La Sortie de Pesage by Degas

  • Landscape with an Obelisk (1638) by Govaert Flinck

  • Chez Tortoni (1878-1880) by Manet

  • A Lady and Gentleman in Black (1633) by Rembrandt

  • The Concert (1658 - 1660) by Vermeer)

  • The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (1633) by Rembrandt

Read: Iran repeats offer to help US find missing ex-FBI agent >

Read: Dutch police arrest Romanian woman over art heist >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
11
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.