The Atlas of Art Crime: Thefts, Vandalism, and Forgeries

by Laura Evans

Mapping out the world’s most infamous art thefts, forgeries, and acts of vandalism, this unique and visually striking reference illuminates acts of art crime around the globe.

This book highlights seventy-five incidents in a unique format that allows readers to visualize the geography of art crime from the past two centuries.

Divided by location into sections on thefts, vandalism, and forgeries, each crime is profiled with an absorbing narrative and images of the artworks, perpetrators, and scenes of the crime. Additional sidebars feature compelling information about the artist and/or work of art.

Including renowned crimes such as the 1911 theft of Mona Lisa from the Louvre, the 1972 attack on Michelangelo’s sculpture, Our Lady of Piety, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, and a portrait of the master forger, Elmyr de Hory, this book also includes lesser known incidents: how two Irish students stole a priceless masterpiece from London’s Tate Gallery; a young woman overcome by passion who vandalized a Cy Twombly painting with an indelible kiss; an American forger who dresses up as a priest and gives his forgeries away for free; and a Chinese librarian who stole one hundred forty-three paintings by famous Chinese artists and replaced them with his own fakes.

Filled with intrigue, controversies, power dynamics, and unexpected motivations, this is a captivating exploration of the darker side of art history.

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

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Kanako Okiron]

My first ever non star rating 😊 thought it could be cool

[Susan Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully informative and entertaining! It reads like author Evans is sitting at your table telling unbelievable but true crime stories. In this gem of an atlas (meaning many counts of art crime) - it's a page turner of vignettes about all the ways some crave art to the point of illicit behaviors. Stories like the crime of a harmful kiss (p. 146 - 147). A museum visitor kissing a Cy Twombly white canvas with bright red lipstick, declaring it "even more beautiful." Fortunately, a prosecutor in France "vehemently disagreed with the kisser's belief that her kiss was one of love, calling her action 'a rape' and 'revolting bestial act of cruelty.'" We learn how crimes happen, motivations, consequences, and where the art is now." In the case of Twombly's painting, conservators tried 30-some products. Still, they failed to remove the lipstick. Author Evans continues, "...the nine-by-six-foot all-white painting, which was once valued at 3 million, remains afflicted by the kisser's act of passion."

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time leaving a review...

Saw this author lecture about art crime at an art museum in Ft Worth and she lit the place on fire. It was funny and entertaining. She mentioned an upcoming book, and I bought it when it came out. It reads as she lectured: intriguing, cheeky, and gossipy about art and history.

Would recommend to people who love art and crime and to people who think they don't... it will win you over.

It's also pretty - glossy pages, gorgeous images, well designed - so it can work as a coffee table book too, though I wish it was a bit bigger in size. Love the cover image of the guy running down the stairs with a stolen painting. It is arresting (ha! ;)

[existential cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agreed - v surprised there aren't a ton of reviews.

This is waaay more interesting than any usual atlas/compendium. Really interesting & well-written- and several heists I hadn't heard of, which is fantastic.

I did wish there were more older stories - this skewed very late 2000s and later. That's the only readon why a 1-star, and I'm really closer to a 4.75/4.5.

Tremendous fun, interesting, educational, definitely beautiful illustrations. Would be a great gift, actually, now that I think of it.

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and illuminating! The author masterfully engages readers in the art, the crimes committed, and how museums and cultures worldwide communicate these crimes and their recovery. I'm particularly fascinated by the audacity of the Librarian to steal 143 works of art and replace them with his own. The author's depth of research is remarkable and the storytelling makes it accessible to non-scholars who just love learning. I'm hopeful the author visits Amsterdam and maybe even The John Adams Institute to share more stories in person.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting compendium of art crimes. Each theft, vandalism, or forgery gets 2-4 pages of write up. It's enough to get at least the broad strokes of the thing, though of course many of these incidents could be written about in more depth. The writing is clear and almost conversational, like a particularly engaging lecture. If you're already very well informed about art crime, you may not find much new. But it's a great place to start.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of the more fun non-fiction books I’ve read in a while. Well researched, but easy to approach. The book itself is also just beautiful - filled w great images of the works and the crime scenes. The witty commentary is a bonus, and never over the top.

Non-art lovers will enjoy “seeing” this side of the art world!

[Jenny Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

How am I the first person to review this book? Weird.

Anyway, this is exactly what you want in a coffee table book. Fascinating stories of art theft, vandalism and forgeries that completely sucked me in, paired with glossy, gorgeous photos. Highly recommend.

[Fabiana Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Evans's The Atlas of Art Crime is a high-quality treasure hunt of amazing stories that make every piece depicted even more beautiful and interesting. You may also find that one of your favorite Italian masters was an assassin too!

[Sean Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Perfect to either leave on the coffee table and read a story at a time, or read start to finish. Dr Evans does a great job of bringing heists / fakes / vandalism to life, helping you understand the context, motives and implications in interesting and engaging prose. Highly recommend

[John Sturdivant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting array of stories and depictions of high crime. The ingenuity of the thieves is almost as impressive as the art they stole. Great read!

[Deacon Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

really great!! art crime has always fascinated me. shoutout the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. my favorite part of the book is learning that there is an Italian art crimes unit called CARABINIERI!!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the cover image, I was riveted. An art lover, I devoured this book with the same excitement as I devour Evans’ lectures. Her passion for her work jumps off every engaging page…The art community is fortunate to have such a champion.