Before The Louvre Heist: Infamous Art Thefts That Shook The World

The recent daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, has sent shockwaves through the art world, reviving memories of some of the most audacious thefts ever committed in museums globally. Known for housing priceless treasures, the Louvre itself has a storied past of headline-grabbing heists, including the infamous theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911. But it’s far from the only institution to fall victim to masterful art crimes. From Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to Vincent van Gogh’s The Potato Eaters, some of history’s most celebrated masterpieces have vanished from museum walls in meticulously planned operations. Here’s a look back at some of the boldest museum thefts that stunned the world. (Image: File Pic)

August 2023 – British Museum, London: Over 2,000 artefacts, including gold jewellery and precious gems, were stolen over an extended period, making it one of the most extensive thefts in museum history. (Image: File Pic)

August 2020 – Hofje van Mevrouw Van Aerden Museum, Netherlands: Frans Hals’ Two Laughing Boys, valued at $18 million, was stolen in a targeted operation. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

March 2020 – Singer Laren Museum, Amsterdam: Van Gogh’s Spring Garden was stolen during a break-in while the museum was closed due to COVID-19. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

November 2019 – Green Vault (Gruenes Gewoelbe), Dresden: Thieves made off with royal jewelry containing over 4,300 diamonds, valued at $124 million. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

May 2015 – Private Collection, Madrid: Five paintings by Francis Bacon, worth $25 million, were looted in a high-profile theft. (Image: Instagram)

October 2012 – Kunsthal Museum, Rotterdam: Seven masterpieces by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, and others were stolen in a swift nighttime raid. (Image: Instagram)

May 2010 – Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris: Five paintings, including works by Picasso and Matisse, were stolen—totaling nearly $118 million. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

February 2008 – Buehrle Collection, Zurich: Four paintings by Cézanne, Degas, Van Gogh, and Monet were stolen, with losses estimated at $164 million. (Image: Instagram)

December 2004 – São Paulo Museum of Art, Brazil: Picasso’s Portrait of Suzanne Bloch and Portinari’s The Coffee Worker were stolen in a $55.5 million heist. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

August 2003 – Drumlanrig Castle, Scotland: Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna of the Yarnwinder was stolen, valued at $53 million. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

December 2002 – Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam: Two Van Gogh paintings were stolen, each worth $56 million. (Image: Instagram)

November 1993 – Modern Museum, Stockholm: Eight works by Picasso and Braque were looted, with a combined value of $60 million. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

April 1991 – Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam: Twenty paintings, including The Potato Eaters, were stolen in a heist valued at $500 million. (Image: Wikimedia Commons, Instagram)

1911 – Louvre Museum, Paris: Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was stolen by an Italian handyman and recovered two months later. The theft ironically boosted the painting’s fame worldwide. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)