Museum Heists: A Look at Some of the Biggest Art Thefts

Museums are supposed to be safe places for art. But sometimes, thieves find a way in. Here are some of the biggest art heists from museums around the world.

British Museum, London - August 2023

• Stolen Items: 2,000 artifacts, including gold jewelry and gems
• Estimated Value: Unknown
• Details: The museum claimed it was an "inside job," suggesting possible involvement of staff members.

Hofje van Mevrouw Van Aerden Museum, Netherlands - August 2020

• Stolen Painting: "Two Laughing Boys" by Frans Hals
• Estimated Value: 15 million euros
• Details: The museum was closed due to the COVID pandemic. This was the third time the painting had been stolen.

Singer Laren Museum, Amsterdam - March 2020

• Stolen Painting: "Spring Garden" by Vincent van Gogh
• Estimated Value: Unknown
• Details: The museum was closed due to the pandemic. The painting was on loan from another museum and stolen overnight.

Gruenes Gewoelbe Museum, Dresden, Germany - November 2019

• Stolen Items: Jewelry pieces with over 4,300 diamonds
• Estimated Value: Over 113 million euros
• Details: Most of the jewels were recovered later.

Madrid, Spain - May 2015

• Stolen Paintings: Five works by Francis Bacon
• Estimated Value: $25 million
• Details: Three of the paintings were found two years later.

Kunsthal Museum, Rotterdam - October 2012

• Stolen Paintings: Seven works by Picasso, Matisse, and Monet
• Estimated Value: Tens of millions of euros
• Details: A Romanian man and his accomplices were caught and convicted in 2013.

These are just a few examples of art thefts from museums. It shows that even the most secure places can be targeted by thieves. It also shows that art is valuable, and people will go to great lengths to steal it.