Museum of the Missing: A History of Art Theft

by Simon Houpt, Julian Radcliffe (Foreword)

Priceless masterpieces…
Brazen
The true story behind the blank spaces on the museum walls.


What kind of person would dare to steal a legendary painting—and who would buy something so instantly recognizable? In recent years, art theft has captured the public imagination more than ever before, spurred by both real life incidents (the snatching of Edvard Munch’s well-known masterwork The Scream ) and the glamorous fantasy of such Hollywood films as The Thomas Crown Affair . The truth is, according to INTERPOL records, more than 20,000 stolen works of art are missing—including Rembrandts, Renoirs, van Goghs, and Picassos. Museum of the Missing offers an intriguing tour through the underworld of art theft, where the stakes are high and passions run strong. Not only is the volume beautifully written and lavishly illustrated—if all the paintings presented here could be gathered in one museum it would be one of the finest collections in existence—it tells a story as fascinating as any crime novel. This gripping page-turner features everything from wartime plundering to audacious modern-day heists, from an examination of the criminals’ motivations to a look at the professionals who spend their lives hunting down the wrongdoers. Most breathtaking of all, this invaluable resource offers a “Gallery of Missing Art,” an extensive section showcasing stolen paintings that remain lost—including information about the theft and estimated present-day value—and which may never be seen again.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Art History, True Crime, Crime, Museums

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Lance Charnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Museum of the Missing is a fast, solid introduction to and survey of art theft over the past century.

Houpt – a Canadian arts columnist for The Globe and Mail – writes as if the reader knows a painting from a statue and has at least heard of the big names in art, but has no specialized knowledge of either art or the art market. By and large this works well; he doesn’t bother explaining who Rembrandt or Picasso are, but will spend a line identifying some of the less-famous names he mentions.

Likewise, he assumes all you know about art theft is The Thomas Crown Affair, which he name-checks several times. (It appears he has a thing for Rene Russo; I totally understand.) So you meet the top good guys (Robert Wittman, Charley Hill) and the top bad guys (Martin Cahill, Stephane Breitwieser) and get stories about how they did the things they did.

And there are pictures. I can’t discount this; a book about art has to have pictures. It’s one thing to read about a painting called Storm on the Sea of Galilee, quite another to see the power and drama of Rembrandt’s masterpiece with your own eyes. This is a very handsomely produced book, with page after thick, glossy page of full-color artwork. The appendix is a gallery of major paintings still missing after having been stolen. This volume could be a coffee-table book if it was bigger.

Despite a couple pages devoted to Napoleon’s looting rampage across Europe and Africa (the Louvre is stuffed with the spoils of Napoleon’s many campaigns), Houpt’s focus is squarely on modern-day art crime starting for all intents and purposes in the early 1930s. He mentions antiquities looting and smuggling only in passing, even though by all rights it’s a much larger segment of the overall art-crime enterprise. He doesn’t explain the process of laundering an artwork’s provenance (its archaeological and collecting history), even though it’s pretty interesting even for a layman and would take only a couple pages, nor does he place enough blame on the major auction houses for their role in abetting the sale of artworks with shady histories. Stolen statues and decorative arts get short shrift in his gallery of the missing.

Like I said, this is a survey for a newcomer. If you follow the ARCA or Looting Matters blogs, or you’ve already read Wittman’s memoir or Chasing Aphrodite, you’re past the text in this book. But if Pierce Brosnan’s shoulders or Rene Russo’s transparent dress inspired you to dip your toe into the real world of art crime, Museum of the Missing is a pretty good place to start.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good quick read about the theft of art. In some cases too general, so functions more as an introduction. It does trace the historical cases, so not just the big modern criminal cases. Nicely illustrated. Especially at the end where the museum is presented.

[kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's quite amazing that you can write a book about stolen art and make it so Anglocentric and homophobic.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

About all the thousands of art works that have been stolen, plundered in war and made away with for various reasons, there is a particularly interesting account of the Nazi caches and Lord Elgin's marbles.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the concept of this book which does an excellent job of revealing the world of art theft and missing art. It is chockful of interesting, well chosen stories and the author wisely decided to illustrate all the art discussed. The illustrations are much of the interest in this book. His tone is a little stiff at times and the large inset single story panels sometimes break up the rhythm of a longer story he is telling. The inset panels are a strange editorial decision. Each is interesting on its own so either develop that story or leave it out but to jam it in the middle of an existing story doesn't really work. Maybe they were trying to layer and build the excitement but it is confusing, almost like having someone tap you on the shoulder when you are listening to someone else tell you a ripping yarn.

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok this was useless to my research, also weirdly opinionated

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The appeal of personally possessing the work of a favored artist or just a specific example of their skill has increased over the decades especially as auctions drive prices higher and higher making the so-called treasures even more valuable as investments. Thousands of missing artwork - from sculptures, paintings, woodprints, antiquities and more - have disappeared either by theft or by looting of a conquering army. The most recent and notorious being the Nazis and Napoleon.

But the value of art makes it open for ransom or to be sold on the black market to criminal organizations for money laundering, terrorist groups for cash to buy munitions and just the uber-wealthy that feel that their wealth makes them above the law and 'deserving' of the best and rarest.

The database - Art Loss Register - is among the first source conferred when an unknown artwork appears on the market especially due to mysterious circumstances. Some reported thefts - far fewer are ever recovered - are returned either by ransom (certainly not broadcast or admitted to), accidental attempts at resale by oblivious buyers, police stings and/or divulged by a member of the gang unhappy with their share of the spoils.

Unfortunately, many stolen pieces - damaged by the thieves actions as canvas' are often rolled up, cracking the layers, after being cut from frames - are further damaged by neglect, careless handling and/or environmental conditions not conducive for the aged works.

Published in 2006, the book ends with 30 pages of a 'Gallery of Missing Artwork" Including a 2.5 ton sculpture that was stolen one night on camera as the thieves drove up with a truck loaded with a crane and off it went. Anyway, it lists the artist, the name of the work, medium and size; when and where it was stolen from. Estimated value - exceedingly low at this time but in many cases, now priceless. And a blurb either about the artist, the work or the theft.

In the end, it's the viewing public who are the losers as there are pieces forever lost over the centuries. In many cases, the only memory of them is a comment in historical documents or a sketch/etching. The "more fortune" ones are those that have photographs to record the talent and genius that once graced the world.

2022-215

[Sarah Coller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love reading about art history mysteries---I can't get enough! This book was super interesting and will be going straight into my permanent collection. I found myself looking up each work and notating in the book whether they'd been recovered since publication. Happily, I found quite a few that had!

I was pretty disgusted with the way museums and governments refuse to give up obviously stolen property. The British handling of the art property of other nations, in particular, is despicable. I'm planning a trip in March and Selah really wants to see the Natural History Museum/V&A/etc. --- not so sure I'll enjoy it as much now as I have in the past. As the author points out, how many pieces in our museums are even the spoils of war? Quite the moral dilemma there...

Even though I'm always rooting for the good guys, I do have to admit several of the heists were pretty genius. The whole story surrounding the fictional Thomas Alcock collection was pretty impressive.

Great read---glad I took the time!

[David Szatkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I found randomly at the library (score for library displays). I honestly did choose this book for the title and the cover picture (which references the Isabella Gardner Museum theft). But the author looks more at the whole history of art theft, to include looting, ransom, obsession, etc. The author also shows what major auction houses, law enforcement, etc are doing to end this theft of our human patrimony. If you want to know something about this topic, this seeming coffee table book is for you.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hits all the happy buttons with me. History, beautiful art, tales of true crime and intrigue from around the globe. The writing was enjoyable and I only wish it had been a longer book. (Do I take a star away because it wasn't long enough?) It was helpful to have an art background, but the author includes pictures of most of the art he talks about so it's a good read for anyone. It's so sad to see what we've lost.

[Friends of Linebaugh Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about the history of art theft and the crazy things people do, and ultimately the loss to everyone when cultural objects are stolen. It is pretty fascinating even if you're interested art history at all. It is a history of art thefts, some solved, many still open, and concludes with a wonderful appendix of a "museum of the missing" - color plates of works still lost to theft.

It inspired the documentary "The Rape of Europa," although the movie focused only on art stolen during WWII. That was the most compelling chapter of this book as well, but the information about modern art detectives was also fascinating. I enjoyed his diatribes against the glamorization of art thieves in Hollywood. This was a good overview of the subject; however, I felt that reading Museum of the Missing felt a little like reading a high school text book entitled "Introduction to Art Theft." It was a fascinating topic, and the book was full of interesting stories and lots of beautiful pictures, but I was left wanting more. It was much like watching a show about art theft on Discovery or History channel where you are left lacking in content and information. I felt that it needed to go more in-depth, however, that could just be because I got my degree in Art History. All in all, my favorite part was the gallery of missing art at the end of the book.

[Michelle X. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the history of art theft, though heavily biased in the way books on this subject typically are-- as in, it's certainly not written at all with the thieves' perspective in mind. Still, the information is good and the pictures are neat (even if the language is a bit melodramatic at times). Good to read as an introduction if you're planning on delving more into the subject (which I highly recommend).

[David R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly lightweight treatment of art theft over the ages. There are many distracting sidebars focused on specific incidents and aspects of the art trade, and the narrative never goes into detail on even the most notorious thefts. This one may serve as an introduction to the subject, but can be ignored by more serious students.

[C.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always love a good heist movie, but what's the real thing like. This book gives a brief history of art dealership and how art got so expensive, big heists, and current issues such as security and restitution from the holocaust. All of this of this, plus beautiful artwork, makes this a fun non-fiction book.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure why I am fascinated with art thefts but I am for some reason. I was excited when I came across this book, but it was not very well done in my opinion. The book alternated between discussing the thefts, the art itself, and how different countries try to retrieve stolen art. All of it is done in a pretty superficial manner so I really didn't feel like I learned much.

My favorite part was likely the discussion of art looting during World War II (both by the Nazis and by American soldiers) and the debates about keeping or returning ancient art to its country of origin.

My least favorite part was all of the side bar stories - interesting in their own right but distracting from the overall chapter. Not sure why these had to be presented as asides rather than integrated into the text.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This hooked me partly because the open frame on the cover is one I've actually seen (the Gardner Museum still has it sitting on the wall but the painting inside went bye-bye in the 1990s). But it's good even in its own right as Houpt studies the great art thefts, cultural appropriation of Third World treasures and art taken by conquest (while I was familiar with Nazi efforts, I didn't know Napoleon was so aggressive in looting his empire), the fate of the art (the mother of one thief decided to hide the evidence by dumping it int a canal) and the efforts at recovering it. Very good if the subject appeals to you (I've read worse in the same vein).

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite nonfiction books; I loved learning about the different art forgeries that have been found, thwarted, or suspected. It was a little heart-breaking (but very interesting) to read about the destruction of some museums or collections. I haven't picked this book up in a while, but now that I'm seeing it on goodreads I may have to. I remember being very interested in the specific cases and situations described throughout the book.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is sickening to think of all the art that is missing (and possibly destroyed), especially through war and theft. Very good graphics in this volume. Some well known pieces I had no clue that they were missing. Luckily some make it back to their owners or onto display. I really wonder how much stolen art ends up in the hands of the super rich, particularly in areas without good law enforcement. Wanna beta lot is in the hands of Russian and Saudi billionaires?

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of stolen art through history. If you're just getting into stolen art this would be a great first book to read. All the usual suspects and brief overviews of stories to dive deeper into. Also really love the beautiful pictures and the directory of (some) stolen art in the back. And of course the focus on the Isabella Stewart Gardner theft was particularly interesting to me. Though you can tell some of the information about security is a bit outdated it's still a good read.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully illustrated account of art theft, covering the removal of well-known art under the cover of warfare, as well as many stories of famous (and less famous) art heists. The costs and the reasons for art theft are interestingly covered and also the difficulties encountered in solving art crimes. The author is a supporter of an international digital record of stolen artworks as one way to make art theft a less attractive sort of crime. This is an engaging and informative read.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a more basic/less action-packed version of Robert Wittman's Priceless. The book dealt with a very general overview of different aspects of art theft (art theft in war, art as commodity, security of art, etc.). I would have been more interested to read up on different paintings that have been stolen over time (i.e. an art book about missing pieces).

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how this book on art thefts at galleries ,museums and private collections was presented as a book of greed for status and how it has inflated prices to a ridiculous level making fine art a rich peoples game with many a person willing to plunder,forge and use intricate unethical schemes to gain entry into this elite megaomaniac pursuit.

[Kitsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this book fascinating and very informative. If you have any interest in learning about missing art treasures from around the world this is the book to read. Found it disheartening to know that in some countries in as little as three years if you are in possession of a stolen work of art, it magically becomes yours!

[Özgür Baltat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ortak mirasımızın bir parçası olan sanat eserlerinin kaçırılmalarının hikayesi. Hitler ve Napolyon gibi toplu hırsızlıktan başlayarak, günümüzde çok yüksek meblağlara ulaşan kayıp eserlerin polisiye hikayeleri. Konu çok sarmadığı için puanı da düşük kaldı.

[Whitney 'Thompson' Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was kind of coffee book table sized so a little awkward to hold... but so interesting! It looks at art theft from all angles, from how art has increased in value and why, to why some artists and museums are more at risk..

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dated information on some thefts considering this was published in 2006 (i.e. Munch’s “The Scream” has since been recovered) but overall a good basic primer on art theft. Unfortunately the writing tends towards Anglocentric and colonization & cultural theft apologist.

[Kevin Mannix · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://krmannix.com/2018/04/08/book-r...

[Andre Smiljic]

None

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much detail as I expected. Good images at least.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is good book about art theft that is lavishly illustrated and pitched and the lay person who is curious to know about the "great art thefts" -- and whether or not the paintings have been recovered. Naturally, this book only covered a small fraction of art thefts - the most well-known ones, such as the infamous Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum heist. Also, since this books publication, many more works have been stolen and a few (like the 2 Van Goghs from the Van Gogh museum) have been recovered. But the basic information remains solid and interesting.