Have you ever wondered which are the most expensive stolen paintings in the world? Collectors, scholars, gallerists and curious particulars have always been attracted to the works of famous artists. We can enjoy most of these pieces in renowned galleries and museums around the world, but others, either because they were stolen, destroyed or missing, we have to settle with admiring reproductions or photographs. In this particular list we’ve decided to rank the most valuable stolen paintings in the world, which also happen to be very well known, just like the artists who crafted them.
From Van Gogh to Rembrandt, the artists on this countdown are some of the most celebrated in history, and it is no surprise that their work’s estimated worth comes in millions. But, if you want to know what art is being sold for at the moment, just check out our list on the Top 10 Art Sales in 2013
Are you curious about the most expensive stolen paintings in the world? Let’s get artistic and take a look at the countdown.
6. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Murals
Painted in 1914, Gertrude Vanderbilt commissioned these murals to the renowned painter and illustrator, Maxfield Parrish, to decorate a room of her Long Island estate. In July 2002, two of these murals which were exhibited at a Gallery in West Hollywood, California, were cut from their frames and stolen. With an estimated combined value of $4 million, the stolen murals are some of the most expensive paintings to have been stolen in the world.
5. View of Auvers-sur-Oise
Worth nearly $5 million, View of Auvers-sur-Oise is a painting by Paul Cézanne which was actually never signed nor dated by the famous French artist, as he never considered that the piece was quite finished. Nevertheless, there’s no doubt about the author of the work and its value. This particular painting used to be exhibited at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, until its theft on December 31st, 1999. As a matter of fact, the burglars were quite clever since they took advantage of the Millennium celebrations that were taking place that night and used them as a distraction.
