Two Rembrandt Paintings Will be on Loan to Worcester Art Museum

Master Series- Worcester Art Museum: Rembrandt

     One painting by Rembrandt, from the Leiden Gallery, is currently on loan to the Worcester Art Museum through August, 2015… with another Rembrandt arriving on loan early next year.

CLOSE UP: Da Vinci, Durer, Rembrandt medallions at Worcester Art Museum

da Vinci, Durer, Rembrant medallions at Worcester Art Museum

     When the Worcester Art Museum was first built in 1897, a series of eight carved stone medallions chiseled with the names of famous artists ran along the roofline. Today, only three of these medallions are still visible (and only from higher up, viewed through a window).

Worcester Art Museum Heist was 42 Years Ago Today: May 17, 1972

FBI and WPD with the recovered WAM paintings, 1972

     Today marks 42 years since the Worcester Art Museum was brazenly robbed. It is a seldom discussed, but very important event in the museum's history. On the afternoon of May 17, 1972, during open hours, two thieves (armed with a concealed revolver) entered the museum and removed four valuable works from the walls of the European Galleries: including Gauguin's "Brooding Woman" and Rembrandt's "Saint Bartholomew". While exiting through the Renaissance Court with the paintings, the thieves drew the weapon and shot the Salisbury door guard when he hindered their haphazard escape. Critically wounded, the guard survived, thanks to First Aid care provided by a visitor (Security can be a thankless and potentially dangerous job. Please, on occasion, let the guards know you appreciate it). Due to the efforts of the FBI, Worcester Police and information provided by other criminals, the four masterpieces were returned to WAM mere weeks later.
     Anthony Amore, Chief Investigator and Director of Security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, has co-written a book on the subject, "Stealing Rembrandts". Full of great insight and detail, his book offers a thoroughly researched account of the 1972 Worcester Art Museum Heist, as well as other daring art thefts. Anthony's book can be purchased here: Stealing Rembrandts by Anthony Amore , or you can attend one of his many lectures on Art Theft throughout New England.

"Stealing Rembrandts" by Anthony Amore ... at the Worcester Art Museum

"Stealing Rembrandts" by Anthony Amore ... at the Worcester Art Museum 

"Stealing Rembrandts" by Anthony Amore, with Saint Bartholomew

Travis Simpkins and Anthony Amore

American Hustle (2013): Partly Filmed at the Worcester Art Museum

     Co-written and directed by David O. Russell, American Hustle (2013) started receiving accolades, fanfare and critical success even before it was released. The story is loosely based on the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late 1970's. A few scenes were filmed at the picturesque Worcester Art Museum, with Rembrandt's "Saint Bartholomew", the European Galleries and the Renaissance Court nicely featured. Top-notch acting runs from start to finish. Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper are excellent as the male leads. Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams, both clad in sexy form-fitting open front dresses in 1970's fashion, are radiant and exceptional in their respective roles. The supporting cast is great as well, including Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K. and Robert De Niro.

Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams

Christian Bale and Amy Adams

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper at Worcester Art Museum

Saint Bartholomew. by Rembrandt van Rijn

Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper at Worcester Art Museum

Amy Adams

Jennifer Lawrence and Christian Bale

Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

filming "American Hustle" at the Worcester Art Museum

Jennifer Lawrence

"American Hustle"- movie trailer

"Stealing Rembrandts: The Untold Stories of Notorious Art Heists" by Anthony Amore and Tom Mashberg

Stealing Rembrandts, by Anthony Amore

     "Art security expert Anthony M. Amore and award-winning investigative reporter Tom Mashberg reveal the actors behind the major Rembrandt heists in the last century. Through thefts around the world—from Stockholm to Boston—the authors track daring entries and escapes from the world’s most renowned museums. There are robbers who coolly walk off with multimillion dollar paintings; self-styled art experts who fall in love with the Dutch master and desire to own his art at all costs; and international criminal masterminds who don't hesitate to resort to violence." -amazon.com

     The book features a lot of intriguing information about the Worcester Art Museum Heist in 1972, during which Rembrandt's "Saint Bartholomew" and three other works were stolen and subsequently recovered.

"Saint Bartholomew" by Rembrandt. Worcester Art Museum

     Anthony M. Amore is the head of security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and contributes to the Boston Herald and The Huffington Post. He serves as trustee of the Association for Research into Crimes against Art and lectures widely on art crime.

Anthony Amore

Purchase "Stealing Rembrandts" HERE: