History’s greatest museum heists from Mona Lisa to Napoleon’s jewels

The French museum Louvre is the latest victim in the growing trend of high-value museum heists across the world. In the latest incident, thieves stole nine pieces of jewelry from the collection of Napoleon from the world’s most visited museum.

From Da Vinci to Rembrandt, here’s a look at some of the famous museum heists in the world.

1911 theft of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa from Louvre Museum:

A former employee Vincenzo Peruggia pulled out the heist of the world’s most famous art work in 1911. The thief hid inside the museum and walked out with the artwork hidden beneath his coat.

The heist became a global story soon after it was revealed by Louvre. The painting was recovered two years later in Florence.

Takeaway Rembrandt: The world’s most frequently stolen painting:

One of the most bizarre and unique record holder paintings is Jacob de Gheyn III by Rembrandt. It holds the record of most frequently stolen painting in modern history, according to Guinness World Record.

Jacob de Gheyn III by Rembrandt nicknamed “takeaway Rembrandt” was stolen from Dulwich Picture Gallery in London in 1966, 1973, 1981 and 1983. Fortunately, the artwork was recovered after every theft and remains on display till date.

For context, the most stolen painting of all time is Ghent Altarpiece, also known as "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck. It was stolen on seven different occasions.

1990 heist from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum:

The 1990 theft still remains unsolved after 36 years and it is considered one of the biggest art heists in U.S. history. Two men disguised as Boston Police entered the building, overpowered the two guards and then stole 13 different pieces of valuable artworks.

Some of the paintings they stole were cut from their frame and empty frames still hang at their place in the museum.

Museum heists have resulted in loss of billions of dollars with some cases being solved and some still remaining a mystery.