36 Years Later, Boston Museum Hopes for Return of Stolen Masterpieces

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum remains confident the 13 stolen artworks, including a Rembrandt, will one day be recovered.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 5:39am

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On the 36th anniversary of the theft of 13 precious artworks from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, officials remain hopeful the stolen pieces, including Rembrandt's only seascape, will eventually be returned. Despite decades of searching, the crime remains unsolved, but the museum has a detailed plan in place for the recovery and restoration of the missing masterpieces.

Why it matters

The 1990 heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is considered one of the biggest art thefts in history. The stolen works, valued at an estimated $500 million, include rare paintings by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Degas. The museum's continued efforts to recover the stolen art highlight the enduring cultural and financial significance of these irreplaceable pieces.

The details

On March 18, 1990, two thieves disguised as police officers gained entry to the museum and stole 13 artworks, including Rembrandt's only seascape, 'The Storm on the Sea of Galilee.' Despite an intensive, decades-long investigation and a $10 million reward, the stolen art has never been recovered. The museum's director of security and chief investigator, Anthony Amore, says he is not interested in prosecuting anyone, but simply wants the return of the priceless works.

  • The theft occurred on March 18, 1990.
  • March 18, 2026 marks the 36th anniversary of the heist.

The players

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

An art museum in Boston, Massachusetts that houses a renowned collection of masterpieces, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Degas.

Anthony Amore

The director of security and chief investigator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, who is leading the ongoing effort to recover the stolen artworks.

Holly Salmon

The director of conservation at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, who is preparing for the eventual return and restoration of the stolen pieces.

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What they’re saying

“We do dream of that day because I said this whole room needs to be restored, and that is part of it.”

— Holly Salmon, Director of Conservation

“We developed a plan years ago, for every step of the recovery effort, exactly what we would do for every everything that would be required for us to do — from how they would get here to how we would speak to you, to how the team would repair them.”

— Anthony Amore, Director of Security and Chief Investigator

“It's incredibly rare for a stolen painting, especially a masterpiece, be destroyed. The last time a Rembrandt was destroyed was in the 1930s, and there have been 80 thefts since then without any being destroyed.”

— Anthony Amore, Director of Security and Chief Investigator

What’s next

The museum continues to offer a $10 million reward for information leading directly to the recovery of the stolen artworks.

The takeaway

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's unwavering commitment to recovering its stolen masterpieces, even 36 years later, underscores the enduring cultural and historical significance of these irreplaceable works of art. The museum's meticulous planning and hope for their return serves as an inspiration to art lovers and law enforcement worldwide in the fight against art crime.