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Sometimes art inspires awe—other times it inspires brazen break-ins. Here are seven of the biggest art heists in history.

From Matisse’s cut-outs to Van Gogh’s self-portraits—and beyond.
Jane Alexander|
The cow in ‘Yellow Cow’ (‘Gelbe Kuh’ in German) might be a representation of the artist’s second wife.
Kristy Puchko|
The iconoclastic director behind ‘Mulholland Drive,’ ‘Twin Peaks,’ and more cult classics—who passed away on January 16, 2025 at the age of 78—once drew a comic strip about a furious dog and disliked large furniture.
Scott Beggs|
Completed in 1642, Rembrandt van Rijn's The Night Watch is not only a highlight of a career that spanned over 600 paintings, but also acclaimed as arguably the greatest portrait of the Dutch Baroque era.
Kristy Puchko|
Understanding the true story behind ‘Christina’s World’ makes the famed 1948 painting by Andrew Wyeth even more intriguing.
Kristy Puchko|
Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah is not quite 2 years old, but he has already sold several works.
Tim Brinkhof|
Set in a real-life cafe overlooking the Seine, the painting captures a joyous moment among friends—but the history around this iconic Impressionist work makes it all the richer.
Kristy Puchko|
Picasso and his Blue Period have nothing on Yves Klein, who created art almost exclusively in a shade of his own invention.
Stacy Conradt|
The Global Network of Discovery offers an endless stream of recommendations specific to you.
Marla Mackoul|
These famous couples (and some lesser famous ones) didn’t mince words in their breakup letters.
Ellen Gutoskey|
Though it’s now considered one of Pablo Picasso’s masterpieces, ‘Guernica’ didn’t have many fans when it debuted—one critic even called the artwork “one of the poorest things produced in the world.”
M. Arbeiter|
One of the paintings in the series was stolen from a museum and held for ransom. Another sold for a record-breaking price.
Kristy Puchko|
American painter Jasper Johns shook up the art world by reconceptualizing common icons like targets, numbers, and letters—and it all began in 1954 with ‘Flag.’
Kristy Puchko|
Even if you can’t appreciate this masterpiece's aesthetic, it has a history that’s worth its weight in house paint and stacks of cash.
Kristy Puchko|
C.M. Coolidge has been called “the most famous American artist you’ve never heard of.” But while critics might sniff at his contribution to the art world, the history of his greatest works is rich. 
Kristy Puchko|
How much are some happy little trees worth to you? One art dealer believes it's a small fortune.
Jake Rossen|
A close look at Georges-Pierre Seurat's 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte—1884' reveals much more than a warm portrait of a sunny day in a lovely park.
Kristy Puchko|
'The Persistence of Memory' is the most recognizable work by Salvador Dalì, who painted it in the midst of a hallucination.
Kristy Puchko|
The famous 1889 painting was the artist's second depiction of a twinkling night sky.
Kristy Puchko|
The father of French impressionism paid a gardener to dust his water lilies.
Suzanne Raga|

More From the Art Section

Many old statues from past civilizations have been disfigured in a remarkably similar way.
Jane Alexander|
Whether they’re depicting unholy looks at hell or terrifying visions of war, these artworks will send a shiver down your spine.
Jane Alexander|
The exact number is hotly debated—but there are dozens. 
Mike Rampton|
If you‘ve ever wanted to own a piece of movie history, now’s your chance. See what‘s up for grabs at this epic auction of iconic movie posters.
CaLea Johnson|
The medieval masterpiece—embroidered on a 230-foot piece of linen—depicts bloody battles and a royal betrayal that changed the history of England.
Claire Cock-Starkey|
The bronze sculpture has lorded over Venice for centuries, but its origins have remained a mystery. Science may have finally figured it out.
Jake Rossen|
The CIA's encrypted art sculpture has puzzled cryptographers for decades. The man with the answers is finally ready to clue them in.
Jake Rossen|
These decorative mud balls can end up so shiny and colorful you’d assume they’re some sort of jewel. But you can actually make them at home.
Marla Mackoul|
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