The World’s Most Frequently Stolen Artwork

The Ghent Altarpiece holds the dubious record as the most stolen artwork in history. Over the centuries, it has been seized by Napoleon, hidden by Nazis in a salt mine, and survived countless fires and border shifts.

This 15th-century masterpiece is more than just a beautiful painting; it is a survivor of epic historical conflicts. Its panels have been chopped up, sold, and smuggled across Europe for over 600 years. Even today, one original panel remains missing after a daring theft in 1934 that has never been solved. It truly captures the turbulent history of European art better than any museum piece.