In 1990, Fake Cops Stole $500M in Art from a Boston Museum — $10M Reward Still Up Today

The Infamous Heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Empty frames hang in Boston’s Gardner Museum as a reminder: In one night, thieves took half a billion dollars worth of art that’s never been found.

The paintings are still missing, the case still open, and the reward still waiting.

Here’s the story of America’s biggest unsolved art heist.

A Venetian Palace in Boston

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum stands as a stunning recreation of a 15th-century Venetian palace in the heart of Boston. 

Founded by the passionate art collector Isabella Stewart Gardner, the museum opened its doors to the public in 1903. 

Gardner designed this architectural marvel with a team of architects, including Willard T. Sears, to house her extensive personal collection of masterpieces. 

The building encircles a breathtaking central courtyard filled with seasonal flora, creating an enchanting sanctuary for art lovers.

The Collection Before the Heist

Before the infamous 1990 heist, the Gardner Museum housed over 2,500 objects spanning 30 centuries of art. 

The collection included masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas, and Botticelli. 

Particularly notable were Rembrandt’s “The Storm on the Sea of Galilee”—his only known seascape—and Vermeer’s “The Concert,” one of only 34 known paintings by the Dutch master. 

These irreplaceable works were displayed alongside furniture, textiles, and decorative arts from around the world in carefully curated rooms.

The Infamous Night: March 18, 1990

IIn the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, two men disguised as Boston police officers gained entry to the museum by claiming they were responding to a disturbance call. 

Once inside, they overpowered the security guards, bound them with duct tape, and spent 81 minutes selecting and removing 13 works of art. 

The heist occurred while Boston was distracted by St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, giving the thieves optimal cover for their crime.

The 81-Minute Heist

Motion detectors tracked the thieves as they moved through the museum for 81 minutes. 

They worked methodically through different galleries, removing valuable artworks. After loading their vehicle twice with stolen treasures, they fled at 2:45 AM. 

The guards remained tied up until police arrived at 8:15 AM. The thieves didn’t disable the security system or cameras, suggesting they knew about the museum’s limited security. 

They seemed to know which pieces to target. Oddly, they ignored more valuable works nearby. They damaged frames by cutting paintings out rather than carefully removing them. 

They spent most of their time in the Dutch Room on the second floor. The alarm records later helped investigators track their movements.

The Stolen Masterpieces

The thieves stole 13 artworks worth approximately $500 million. They took Rembrandt’s only seascape “Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee” along with his “A Lady and Gentleman in Black.” 

They also stole Vermeer’s “The Concert,” Flinck’s “Landscape with an Obelisk,” five Degas drawings, Manet’s “Chez Tortoni,” a Chinese bronze beaker, a Rembrandt self-portrait etching, and a bronze eagle finial. 

The most valuable piece, Vermeer’s “The Concert,” is now considered the most valuable unrecovered stolen painting in the world. The thieves cut the Rembrandts from their frames with a sharp blade. 

The Degas drawings were taken from the Short Gallery. The finial was the only item stolen from the first floor. Curiously, they left behind Titian’s “The Rape of Europa,” the museum’s most valuable painting.

Empty Frames as Poignant Reminders

Empty frames now hang where the stolen paintings once lived, serving as both placeholders and symbols of hope. 

The museum made this decision in 1994, creating a powerful reminder of the theft. Visitors often feel moved when seeing these bare frames hanging on the walls. 

Museum staff clean and maintain the empty frames regularly. The largest empty frame held Rembrandt’s “Storm on the Sea of Galilee,” measuring about 5 by 4 feet. 

In 2025, the museum added a sound installation recreating the sounds of waves and storms that visitors hear when approaching the empty Rembrandt frame. 

Gardner’s will prohibits permanently moving or replacing the frames with other artwork. The frames’ continued presence keeps public awareness of the theft alive.

The Ongoing Investigation

After more than three decades, the case remains unsolved with no arrests and no recovered artworks. 

FBI investigators believe members of a criminal organization from the mid-Atlantic and New England regions committed the theft. They found evidence the artwork was offered for sale in Philadelphia in the early 2000s. 

The FBI has followed hundreds of leads worldwide. Agent Geoffrey Kelly led the investigation for over 20 years before retiring. 

Investigators searched homes of suspected mob associates, including Robert Gentile’s Connecticut residence in 2013. 

They found a handwritten list of the stolen artwork and their values. The statute of limitations for the theft has expired, but charges could still apply for possessing stolen property. 

The investigation has involved sting operations as far away as France.

The $10 Million Reward

The museum offers a $10 million reward (up from $5M in 1990) for information leading directly to the safe return of the stolen works.

They will provide a share of this reward for the return of any portion of the collection. A separate $100,000 reward exists specifically for the Napoleonic eagle finial. 

This represents the largest reward ever offered by a private institution. 

The museum receives hundreds of tips yearly. Anthony Amore, the museum’s security director, personally follows up on promising leads. 

The museum guarantees confidentiality for informants. The FBI supports this private reward as an essential tool for recovery. 

Theories About the Theft

Many theories have emerged about who stole the artwork. Some investigators explored connections to organized crime, including Boston mobster Whitey Bulger. 

Others suggested links to the IRA or Ulster Volunteer Force. Criminal Bobby Donati, murdered in 1991, was also suspected as a possible mastermind. 

Art thief Myles Connor claimed Donati and David Houghton planned the heist while Connor was in jail. Some believe the art was stolen to negotiate for reduced prison sentences. 

Others think the paintings went to a private collector. FBI agent Robert Wittman conducted a sting operation in Corsica following a lead about Corsican mobsters selling similar works. 

Recent theories suggest the paintings may be hidden in Ireland. The tight-knit criminal world of Boston has kept secrets for decades.

The Museum’s Legacy Today

The Gardner Museum remains vibrant despite the theft. Following Gardner’s will, her collection stays permanently exhibited “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.” 

The museum houses over 7,500 paintings, sculptures, furniture pieces, textiles, silver items, ceramics, 1,500 rare books, and 7,000 archival objects from diverse cultures and time periods. 

The museum attracts about 200,000 visitors annually. The collection includes masterpieces by Titian, Botticelli, and Sargent. The first Matisse painting to enter an American collection is displayed in the Yellow Room. 

Gardner’s personal letters and photographs are preserved in the archives. The central courtyard features rotating seasonal gardens that reflect Gardner’s love of horticulture.

The Courtyard

The museum’s stunning central courtyard remains its beating heart—a lush, light-filled garden that changes with the seasons. 

Inspired by Venetian palaces, this four-story space features Roman, Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural elements surrounding vibrant plantings that Isabella Stewart Gardner personally designed. 

The courtyard’s flowering displays change throughout the year, ensuring a unique experience with each visit and providing a peaceful retreat from Boston’s urban environment.

Beyond Paintings: A Diverse Collection

Gardner’s collection extends far beyond paintings to include more than 7,500 objects spanning ancient Rome to 19th-century America. 

The museum houses 3,000 rare books and 7,000 archival objects, including letters from T.S. Eliot, Henry Adams, and Sarah Bernhardt. Intricate tapestries adorn many walls, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship. 

Visitors often discover unexpected treasures in every room, from delicate Chinese porcelain to medieval manuscripts.
Gardner grouped objects to create conversations between different cultures and time periods, an innovative approach that influences museum curation to this day.

Visitor Information

You’ll find the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum at 25 Evans Way in Boston’s Fenway area. Adult admission costs $22, seniors (65+) pay $20, and students with ID pay $15. 

Advanced reservations are highly recommended as the museum uses timed-entry ticketing and popular times often sell out. 

If your name is Isabella, you’ll enjoy free lifetime admission with valid ID (contact the box office 24 hours in advance). 

The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 AM to 5 PM, Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and weekends from 10 AM to 5 PM. It’s closed on Tuesdays and major holidays.

Read More from This Brand:

• America’s Oldest Floating Warship Defeated British Vessels & Now Houses Naval Treasures in Boston Harbor
• This Boston Art Museum Displays Rembrandt and Titian in a Venetian Palace With a Year-Round Garden
• 12 All-Time Best Things to Do in Boston, Massachusetts