Robert Edsel's Blog

Rembrandt, "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee", 1633, Oil on canvas, inscribed on the rudder, 161.7 x 129.8 cm (Image Courtesy of Isabella Stewart Museum)

Today it has been 20 years since 13 invaluable works of art were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, in what has been called the largest property theft in recorded history.

Vermeer, "The Concert", 1658–1660 Oil on canvas, 72.5 x 64.7 cm. (Image Courtesy of Isabella Stewart Museum)

On the night of March 18, 1990, two thieves dressed as Boston police officers gained entry to the museum, handcuffed both night guards, and proceeded to spend about 40 minutes stealing art from 3 different galleries. Among the missing works of art are Vermeer’s The Concert and Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee. A $5 reward is still being offered for information leading to the recovery of the works of art.

For more information on the theft, please visit the museum’s website:
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/information/theft.asp

Monuments Man George Stout (Image Courtesy of National Archives)

The Gardner Museum is one of the premiere museums in the United States, established at the turn of the 20^th century. It houses more than 2,500 works of art in an intimately designed space. Monuments Man George Stout [link to his bio] served as Director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum from 1955 to 1970.

The upcoming week is filled with media appearances that highlight The Monuments Men. Please feel free to click the links to find out where and when these programs will air in your area.

Television

C-SPAN BOOK TV (http://www.booktv.org/monumentsmen)

• Saturday, October 17th at 4:45pm (ET)
• Sunday, October 18th at 7:00am (ET)

CBS Up to the Minute (http://www.cbsnews.com)

• Taping Tuesday, October 20

MSNBC – Morning Joe with Joe Scarborough (http://www.morningjoe.com)

• Wednesday, October 21 at 8:45am (ET) – Broadcast Live

Radio

Travel with Rick Steves (NPR)

• Saturday, October 17 – Broadcast to over 120 radio stations nationwide.  Please check this link for times and affiliates near you. (http://www.ricksteves.com/radio/whereitairs.htm)

Newspaper

I was also interviewed for an article about Vermeer’s The Astronomer, currently of view at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Minneapolis Star Tribune

• October 16, 2009 – Robert interviewed about the Monuments Men’s rescue of Vermeer’s The Astronomer during WWII. Article running in conjunction with a new exhibit in Minneapolis. Click o read the article (http://www.startribune.com.html)