The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's Board of Trustees is hoping that money talks. It has authorized a $10 million reward for the return of 13 works stolen from the Gardner in what remains the biggest art heist in history.
It's now been 27 years since the infamous robbery in which thieves disguised as Boston police officers brazenly grabbed a host of masterpieces, literally tearing them from their frames. Among the stolen works is an exceedingly rare Vermeer - one of only 36 in existence - and Rembrandt's "Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee," the artist's only known seascape. The thieves made off with what is estimated to be more than $500 million in artwork.
The Gardner initially offered $1 million for information leading to the return of their art. That number was increased to $5 million in 1997, making it the largest private reward in the world. The new offer expires at midnight on December 31, 2017.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Anthony Amore, the Museum’s Security Director directly at (617) 278-5114 or email theft@gardnermuseum.org.
More information on the heist and stolen works can be found at the Gardner's website.
