FACT SHEET Theft of Thirteen Artworks from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum | March 18, 1990 The Theft: An Overview The Theft • On the night of March 18, 1990, a pair of thieves disguised as Boston police officers entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and roamed the Museum’s galleries, stealing thirteen works of art. They gained entry into the museum by posing as Boston police officers and stating that they were responding to a call. The guard on duty broke protocol and allowed them entry through the Museum’s security door. Once inside, the thieves asked that the guard come around from behind the desk, claiming that they recognized him and that there was a warrant out for his arrest. The guard walked away from the desk and away from the only alarm button. The guard was told to summon the other guard on duty to the security desk, which he did. The thieves then handcuffed both guards and took them into the basement where they were secured to pipes and their hands, feet, and heads duct taped. The two guards were placed 40 yards away from each other in the basement. The next morning, the security guard arriving to relieve the two night guards discovered that the museum had been robbed and notified the police and Director Anne Hawley. The Stolen Artworks and their Locations within the Museum The stolen works include: Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee (1633), A Lady and Gentleman in Black (1633) and a Self-Portrait (1634); Vermeer’s The Concert (1658–1660); and Govaert Flinck’s Landscape with an Obelisk (1638); as well as a Rembrandt etching on paper, and a Chinese vase, or Ku, all taken from the Dutch Room on the second floor. Also stolen from the second floor were five drawings by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas and a finial from the top of a pole support for a Napoleonic silk flag, both from the Short Gallery. Edouard Manet’s Chez Tortoni (1878–1880) was taken from the Blue Room on the first floor. See the image sheet for additional information. Reward • The museum is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the recovery of the stolen artworks, and can ensure complete confidentiality. Anyone with information about the stolen artworks and/or the investigation should contact the museum Director of Security Anthony Amore directly at 617/278-5114 or [email protected] Investigation • Over the last 20 years, the investigation has been shepherded by Security Directors at the museum in cooperation with the FBI Boston Bureau. The theft remains an open, active case and a top priority of the museums (and of the FBI/Art Recovery Squad, who lists it on its “most wanted art” list). The Gardner Museum art heist remains the single largest property theft in recorded history. The Museum and authorities continue to pursue very good leads and remain confident that the artworks will be recovered. Conservation • In order to preserve the stolen artworks, it is imperative that they be kept in specific conditions. The museum advises whoever is holding the stolen art that, in order to protect the artworks, they must be stored in conditions that do not allow for swings in temperature and humidity (ideally 70 degrees Fahrenheit; 50% humidity). Empty Frames • The frames in the Dutch Room remain empty as a reminder of the stolen artworks and their place in the museum and as a placeholder for their return. Contact • Anyone with information about the stolen artworks and/or the investigation should contact the museum Director of Security Anthony Amore directly at 617/278-5114 or [email protected]. Geoff Kelly, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the lead agent on the case, can be reached directly at: 617/742-5533. —CONTINUED— The Theft: By the Numbers • Thirteen total works of art stolen: 5 paintings (2 Rembrandts, 1 Vermeer, 1 Flinck, 1 Manet); 5 gouache drawings (Degas); 1 etching (Rembrandt); and 2 objects (Chinese Ku and finial). • Two thieves masquerading as Boston police officers entered the building and tied up the two guards on duty. • 81 minutes - The total amount of time the thieves were in the museum. Only approximately half of this time was spent in the galleries stealing art. The thieves entered the building at 1:24 am. • 3 galleries - The number of galleries from which the thieves stolen artworks: the Dutch Room (6 artworks: the 3 Rembrandts, 1 Vermeer, 1 Flinck, and 1 Chinese Ku); the Short Gallery (6 artworks: 5 Degas drawings and 1 finial); and the Blue Room (1 artwork: 1 Manet). • 20 years have passed since the Gardner theft. The Gardner Museum theft is the single largest property theft in recorded history. • $5 million - The amount of the reward being offered by the Gardner Museum for information leading to the recovery of the stolen artwork in good condition. The reward is coming from and would be brokered through the Gardner Museum and Director of Security Anthony Amore directly. Confidentiality can be assured. The $5 million reward is the single largest private reward ever offered. • 617/278-5114 - The direct phone number to the Museum’s Director of Security Anthony Amore. Anyone with information that might help with the investigation is encouraged to call Mr. Amore directly. ##### Media Contacts Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum •; Matt Montgomery Director of Marketing 617.278.5184 work [email protected] Michael A. Busack Media Relations Manager 617.278.5107 work [email protected] Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) • For access to Geoff Kelly, lead agent on the Gardner Museum theft at the FBI, please contact: Gail Marcinkiewicz Media Officer Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 617.223.6110 work 617.223.6099 fax [email protected] Office of the US Attorney • For access to Assistant US Attorney Brian Kelly and/or US Attorney Carmen Ortiz, please contact: Christina Sterling Media Relations Office of the US Attorney 617.748.3350 main 617.748.3356 work [email protected] .