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Masterpieces that have disappeared into thin air, artworks that make people dream and that have left a void in the history of art and in the hearts of art lovers. Here are the five most famous works of art that have never been recovered:
1. 'The Concert' by Johannes Vermeer (1658-1660)
Among the most famous works of art that have never been found is 'The Concert' by Johannes Vermeer, one of the masterpieces of the genre. Stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in 1990, the painting depicts a 17th century music scene. This work, with an estimated value of over 200 million dollars, remains untraceable despite the fact that substantial prizes have been offered for its recovery.
2. 'The Churches of Auvers-sur-Oise' by Vincent van Gogh (1890)
Vincent van Gogh, one of the most iconic painters of all time, painted 'The Churches of Auvers-sur-Oise' shortly before his death. This painting captures his poignant depiction of churches in the picturesque French village. In 1972, the work was stolen from the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and is still lost in mystery today.
3. 'Nature Morte aux Tulipes' by Jean-Michel Basquiat (1983)
The contemporary Jean-Michel Basquiat is known for his bold and lively artistic expression. 'Nature Morte aux Tulipes' represents one of his most famous works. Taken from the Beyeler Museum in Basel, Switzerland in 2000, this painting has remained an enigma for even the most avid art researchers.
4. 'Poppy Flowers' by Vincent van Gogh (1887)
Van Gogh makes his second appearance on this list with 'Poppy Flowers,' a painting that captures the vibrant beauty of poppies. This work was stolen twice, in 1977 and 2010, from Cairo's Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Egypt. Despite efforts to recover it, 'Poppy Flowers' remains untraceable.
5. 'Mother with Two Children' by Egon Schiele (1915)
Egon Schiele is known for his intense and provocative portraits, and 'Mother with Two Children' is no exception. Stolen from the Leopold Museum in Vienna in 1997, the painting remained hidden from public view for more than two decades.
These stolen and never found works of art remind us that, despite our advances in conservation and security, art can still disappear into mystery. The hope of seeing them again one day continues to burn in the hearts of art lovers and collectors but, fortunately, the story does not end there. UNESCO and Interpol have joined forces to create a Virtual Museum of Stolen Objects scheduled to be launched in 2025. This extraordinary project will offer a virtual window in which stolen works of art, including some of the most famous and mysterious ones, can be explored and admired. Through this initiative, people will be able to explore stolen art from any corner of the world and contribute to efforts to recover it.
A new chapter in art history is being written thanks to unique initiatives like this, but in the meantime we can still enjoy the masterpieces available, even at the click of a mouse. Discover our Art category and be amazed by the timeless beauty of the works of art you can find there!
