The Ghent Altarpiece, also known as The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb was stolen by two of the world’s most famous dictators, Adolf Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte. The painting was started in the 1420s and completed by 1432 by Hubert Van Eyck and Jan Van Eyck. The two brothers had created a masterpiece that depicted Jesus Christ as the High Priest, angels, John the Baptist, the lambs of God, and Adam and Eve. Unfortunately, the piece itself has had a dangerous journey, going through fires, damage, and thievery. It is considered the most stolen artwork of all time.
The Ghent altarpiece’s journey began in 1432 where it was finally installed in St. Bravo’s Cathedral. It would remain there, fully intact, until the Protestant Reformation. It was during this time that a mob formed and began to destroy churches in the surrounding area. Luckily, those working in the Cathedral took apart the painting panel by panel and hid it from the mob that was set on destroying it. This quick thinking saved the painting, but in the future, it would not be so lucky.
During the height of his reign in 1794 Napoleon ordered French troops to seize several of the painting’s panels and bring them to the Louvre. Napoleon viewed the painting as a significant piece of artwork and a prized possession that he felt was owed to France. While the piece was in France, it inspired the artist Jean Ingres to depict Napoleon on his throne, similar to God. Ultimately, the piece was returned to the Ghent after Napoleon was defeated.
Then, in 1934 two panels were stolen. The panel Saint John the Baptist was found and restored, but the panel Just Judges still remains missing. Shortly after this, World War II began and the Ghent Altarpiece was sent from the Ghent to the Vatican for safekeeping. When it was enroute to the Vatican it was redirected to France. In 1942 Hitler took the painting during his invasion of France and ordered the painting be sent to Austria where it would be sealed in a salt mine, along with various other treasures the Nazis had stolen. Hitler stole the piece as he believed that it held mystical powers and that it contained a coded map that would lead to Chritian relics that would ensure victory. In April, 1945 the Ghent Altarpiece was rescued and returned to Belgium by a unit of the Allied Forces known as the Minute Men. It has remained intact in St. Bravo’s Cathedral since 1945.
So, why is it that the Ghent Altarpiece has been stolen by so many? One major reason is that it is an incredible work of art that was widely influential. It was the first major oil painting at the time it was created. It was also believed to hold a mystical power that led to neither the granting of supernatural power, or to Christ himself. Whether the painting holds mystical power or not remains a mystery but the influence it holds is indisputable.
