The strange history of the world's most stolen painting - Noah Charney

Discover Jan van Eyck’s masterpiece, the Ghent Altarpiece, and explore how it became the world’s most stolen artwork.
--
Throughout six centuries, the Ghent Altarpiece, also called “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,” has been burned, forged, and raided in three different wars. It is, in fact, the world’s most stolen artwork- and is considered one of the most influential paintings ever made. What exactly makes the piece so special? Noah Charney digs into Jan van Eyck’s masterpiece.
Lesson by Noah Charney, directed by Zedem Media.
Support Our Non-Profit Mission
----------------------------------------------
Support us on Patreon: bit.ly/TEDEdPat...
Check out our merch: bit.ly/TEDEDShop
----------------------------------------------
Connect With Us
----------------------------------------------
Sign up for our newsletter: bit.ly/TEDEdNew...
Follow us on Facebook: bit.ly/TEDEdFac...
Find us on Twitter: bit.ly/TEDEdTwi...
Peep us on Instagram: bit.ly/TEDEdIns...
----------------------------------------------
Keep Learning
----------------------------------------------
View full lesson: ed.ted.com/les...
Dig deeper with additional resources: ed.ted.com/les...
Animator's website: www.zedemanima...
----------------------------------------------
Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Jezabel, Adriano Fontes, Xiao Yu, Melissa Suarez, SpartacusDMR, Brian A. Dunn, Francisco Amaya, Daisuke Goto, Matt Switzler, Leonardo Monrroy, Sumedh Ghaisas, Guhten, Maryam, Bethany Connor, Jeremy Shimanek, Mark Byers, Avinash Amarnath, Xuebicoco, Rare Media, Rayo, Po Foon Kwong, NinjaBoffin, Jesse Jurman, Josue Perez Miranda, Scott Markley, Elija Peterson, Ovidiu Mrd, Lawrence Wu, Xavier Dupont, Aravind Battaje, Nathan Giusti, Helen Lee, Anthony Benedict, Karthik Balsubramanian, John Hong, Annastasshia Ames, Sebastiaan Hols, Aries SW, Amy Lopez, Liz Candee, Kathryn Vacha, Anthony Arcis, Jeffrey Segrest, Karmi Nguyen, Yelena Baykova, Harshita Jagdish Sahijwani, Nick Johnson, Carlos H. Costa, Mohamed Elsayed and Les Howard.

[@joermnyc]

“Without arousing the attention of the public”... so either it’s buried somewhere in a very public area, or it’s hidden in plain sight as something less conspicuous.

[@napolien1310]

Yeah but is it in Belgium!! If so then I thing it would be much easier to search for it as the country is very small the government can make an announcement for volunteers around the world to search for it

[@lisa_42]

Or how about in the walls if a construction site of that time Maybe a public building

[@dauntlessflores2457]

Maybe it's in a church or somewhere that we easily overlooked.

[@adityamenon7815]

Maybe its in the foundation of a building that was being constructed then

[@molin19981]

Maybe it's in a park?

[@shadowstomper]

Conspiracy Theory: it was the cheese shop owner who stole the painting as a cover up

[@enigmasong632]

+

[@deminalla3993]

this makes so much sense why didnt i think of that

[@cathoinu4265]

Not gonna lie this is a good theory to think about

[@Alkalus]

Ghent Altarpiece: *gets stolen* Ghent Police: We tried, too hard. Cheese: *gets stolen* Ghent Police: Sit down, tell us more about it.

[@jinannwang7430]

Cheese is important aight?

[@enchantedshears5357]

original title:The strange history of the world's most stolen painting - Noah Charney

[@enchantedshears5357]

remember that

[@fieldhacker3298]

How my life works above

[@enchantedshears5357]

@@fieldhacker3298 very poetic

[@TheBlueArmageddon]

"Its the most influencal painting of all time" Police: "Yeh but cheese"

[@user-lh8he8sr3q]

CHEEESE

[@izzywang7060]

CHEESE

[@rohandas5873]

CHEESE

[@anatine_banana_69]

CHEESE

[@Yiching-qs3dh]

CHEESE

[@Luffy_wastaken]

Ted-ed has made sooo many videos and still all the time animation are different (and soothing)!

[@ultimatebishoujo29]

I know right?

[@justonlyalta]

This painting story could make a mystical tv series or book.

[@rinne1669]

@@FlashGamer521 lol I see what u did

[@two-face1041]

I mean the minute men already had a book that was turned into a movie about the salt mine part

[@jenniferzimmer6622]

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Though the story isn't true, it is about a missing painting. One of my favorite books.

[@hypnotised.bellah7712]

@@rinne1669 who is ‘let go 15’?

[@rinne1669]

@@hypnotised.bellah7712 it was 9 months ago. I forgot, sorry

[@shockbladezed1871]

When you realize that the more people steal this painting the more valuable this thing becomes resulting in people stealing it more

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

True

[@1.5Koreans0.5American]

I get goosebumps just listening to Ted-Ed intro music

[@anumehabhukya5389]

Ikr🙂

[@stardust2703]

Me tooo😂

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.” ― Oscar Wilde

[@yahyaharyantoo]

now, i'm thinking the "portrait of a lady on fire" painting

[@kartikhegde533]

The picture of Dorian Gray

[@Hallows4]

This has always been one of my favorite artworks. Back in college I even found some pretty great videos that broke down the symbolism of individual panels and used them in a proposed lesson plan for my education credits.

[@Mordorer]

Are those videos available?

[@peterthepanda]

Judge: You are sentenced to 40 years in prison 6ix9ine: I know where the missing panel of the Ghent Altarpiece is located.

[@olamideadio]

FÚN FACT: There is a movie about this titled "The Monument Men".

[@agustinfigueroa2516]

I watched it and found it kind of boring, however it is interesting that the US commisioned soldiers specifically to protect artworks and cultural objects

[@Ubrzani]

My thoughts exactly! 😄 I knew what was up as soon as I heard "Monument men".

[@WangMotions]

@@agustinfigueroa2516 I thought the movie was pretty good. Certainly didn’t live up to the expectations of a movie with such a high profile cast, but it’s still a entertaining movie

[@brittanycoronilla1646]

It was certainly an enlightening movie...but rather boring.

[@agustinfigueroa2516]

@@WangMotions not exactly my kind of film but everyone has a taste :)

[@Killerwale-hk4wy]

The restoration of the paitning was absolutely incredible, and it's really worth seeing.

[@rj5848]

Plot twist : The painting escaped by its own which makes it a precious masterpiece cause it can escape by its own

[@samy4311]

BabeminzGirlsszz.SpaCe

[@woodwood7322]

Ted Ed is the best educational KZbin channel

[@sreejasrivaram8250]

"The panel has yet to be found" Will the real Sherlock Holmes please rise up from his death?!

[@mainlydying7320]

i love cheese but i don't love it as much as "i'd rather find the thief who stole my cheese rather than find stolen art"

[@sameera4413]

The animation is soooo stunning!! Great work Ted ed !

[@ZOCCOK]

Even Disney doesn't have a rollercoaster that is as thrilling and intense as this single video

[@VEE727]

That last clue makes me think its hidden in plain sight. Oooh

[@abigailjohnson7719]

Studied this painting in my art history class in college! 🙂🎨🖌

[@argandzero0]

It's absolutely breath taking yet tragic.

[@alexandermestre5208]

A "monuments men" movie would be dope

[@Wired4Life2]

It happened (directed by George Clooney), and it was merely okay. :/

[@samy4311]

BabeminzGirlsszz.SpaCe

[@zechteri]

"While there are new tips every year, it has yet to be found" While there are new tips every year, it has yet to reappear. Rhyming

[@blalhber5447]

Honestly I really love the animation. Well done, animator!

[@ZOCCOK]

Me: I am not afraid of any one The Sheep at 4:22 : *Yo*

[@shalinib9670]

This is the painting with the wierd faced sheep 😲

[@xHannaHx33]

Yup lol made to look like a human-ish since it’s supposed to be the Lamb of God (A.K.A Jesus Christ) 🐑

[@paemonyes8299]

after restoration they changed its face to look cuter and less unsettling

[@teathesilkwing7616]

@@paemonyes8299 no I’m p sure the odd face is post restoration, as it’s how the original looked

[@amitajoshi3209]

Had a chance to see this masterpiece in Gent during restoration....truly a masterpiece.....beautiful detailing

[@peppapig17453]

Woah. The Lamb restoration was shocking.

[@pratima142]

So ted ed has taken up the job of arousing public attention. Great job👍

[@harsh3624]

3:17 How many buses in length is that?

[@sisiruben]

Police: ok we got this, we’re gonna find that painting Someone: my cheese was stolen! Police: the painting can wait,(forever) we need to find that cheese! Painting: wut

[@sherienagailmendoza7036]

I feel so amused that i knew it was the altarpiece. Just saw the movie of monument’s men 2 yrs ago. It was quite a fascinating story of knowing how hard it could be to find those large numbers of art pieces and their reaction when they found that altarpiece have been embedded to my memory. I hope someone will find the stolen piece in these days. It might have been destroyed due to unproper storation but still, nothing beats an original work.

[@harshshukla2412]

Still the painting isn't found That is what I was waiting for

[@mukii6938]

I love cheese. Glad to know it was prioritised.

[@colinchen959]

This story is more complicated than my dad who went to get milk and never came back

[@notme1111]

😥

[@margoyahh]

Someone stole your dad. Call the police!

[@anatine_banana_69]

@@margoyahh they'd be more concerned about the stolen milk

[@littledotdoodling]

Wait is this a reference to that story about a dinosaur and a dad and his aunt button by some author whose name I cannot remember but I think it was starting with n?

[@secular_being]

The editing and animation are so dope

[@scifacts3937]

Great video as usual❤❤❤

[@arniecalang4583]

ok this is intriguing

[@arniecalang4583]

@Who am I? Sophisticated guessing! will check that out!

[@noytelinu]

That doesn't sound like a lot of stealing... I expected it to be stolen more than that.

[@teehlfx5238]

“Most stolen” was certainly a misleading title

[@Heather-xm9ul]

Its history is very underwhelming after seeing the title.

[@number1kenyan]

Plot twist: The painting is princess peach

[@sheer9203]

BAHAHAHAHQHJIAAAJAJQIKQAQQ

[@notastrangeperson2298]

Luckiest tooth ache I’ve ever heard of

[@Noukz37]

New designer working for TED-Ed, YAY!! :-D

[@Oculunus]

That Ghent stockbroker probably just wanted to make one final joke of his life and send everyone searching for the missing piece on a wild goose chase.

[@semja]

A silver first place medal, that's a new one

[@בןרוזנר-ל4ל]

i just love TED-Ed astatic and videos very informative and interesting

[@naturesgirl6864]

Wow interesting and mysterious altarpiece..❤️

[@Luffy_wastaken]

When you realise it's not Mona Lisa

[@stories-of-elle]

I thought that too omg

[@capuchinosofia4771]

Lol wasn't the Mona Lisa stolen only once?

[@CrisSelene]

I mean, the thumbnail shows a lamb. Did they restore Mona Lisa and discover she was actually a lamb?

[@capuchinosofia4771]

@@CrisSelene lol "Breaking news! The Mona Lisa was actually a lamb all along!"

[@Luffy_wastaken]

@@capuchinosofia4771 [Sad Leonardo da Vinci noises]

[@theidiotzonexo]

the thing is, as paintings of lambs go, it's kinda weird looking. 7/10.

[@javierjp8549]

2:20 and miraculously he told them everything.... Hmm

[@kurushi857]

I didnt understand a word of this. but I feel cultured.

[@poopycarrot]

I got to go see this in person!! The cathedral and the altarpiece are both amazing and I feel so lucky for being able to have visited 🥰

[@adorabledork89]

WOAH!!!! This was such an amazing find and exploration haha :)

[@mubeccelferidenurturkun2838]

Animation is beautiful❤❤

[@fortified]

Yeah, I can see why they painted over the original lamb. I mean, I get why Van Eyk made it more humanoid-looking, but boy was it disturbing to look at.

[@lynexorotha]

Plot twist: The painting escapes by its own which makes it a precious masterpiece cause it can escape on its own 😳

[@SomeoneCommenting]

Imagine if the missing panel has been hiding all this time behind the other panel that was returned... They are the same size.

[@fienbaeyens5962]

no, behind it is the panel for the outside part of the alterpiece (since the closed version is also painted :)

[@vaneyck8186]

Masterpiece Videography

[@vrajpanchal4088]

Its in a Gallery or Museum, cuz its only place from where you can't take it without arousing the public attention

[@WillyV2]

Well in finnaly early and its on an education channel

[@The1Dragonprincess]

The Most Influential Painting gets stolen. The Police: No cheese Gromit!

[@Amitdas-gk2it]

TY ☺️

[@veasnapiseth3578]

I wish TEB-Ed start making videos with 4K.

[@raghavbansal3887]

The end is more like a horror story

[@YouAndImpact]

Great video 👍

[@ezrestorepc]

for what the note says it looks to me that is hidden in a place like A CEMENTERY because opening a burial will get people attention, what about the place where the suspect/s are buried?

[@jairocorrales7370]

I was waiting for my daily dose of TED-Ed.

[@BeeReports444]

*Whoever* *reading* *this,* *i* *pray* *that* *your* *homes* *be* *filled* *with* *healing,* *blessings* *and* *miracles,* *and* *success.* *Amen.* ☘️🌹 due to my back disability i cant work anymore, starting a channel was my only hope, i hope it does well.🌹

[@TsulaAngenati2292]

I hope it does too, good luck for you and your family, I pray you’ll all be okay

[@men_del12]

"Hey, cops. That Grand Altarpiece is missing! It's the most valuable asset to our civilization in art! We gotta-" "CHEEEEEEEESEEEEEEEEE." "....as we're saying, we need-" "Cheese! Cheese! Cheese!" "Seriously? Don't you guys know anything about-" "Cheese to get! Cheese to eat! More yummy than paintings!" ".........it seems that you guys have less braincell than any animal." "But cheese! Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeee."

[@rveffect]

Lol i'm from Ghent and i remember as kids we'd try to find the missing panel as a hobby. Still my #1 goal. WE WILL FIND YOU!

[@khianjoshabesamis9608]

Love the animation!

[@yte4770]

3:46 that figure doesn't say certain sections. Somebody might remember it as 70% of the whole painting

[@jyotidubey612]

Make a video on why should you read the MAHABHARATA

[@aroundtenpercent]

I work at a cheese shop and I'm surprised how expensive that stuff is. Seriously, a thief would be much better off stealing entire wheels of stinking bishop than cash. Although how you'd get away with concealing and re-distributing eye-watering smelly piles of tasty moulds is an entirely different story

[@kimmycassie]

If the public will see it, I'm pretty sure it's somewhere where the center of the town was or maybe a church/chapel

[@PuzzleAdda]

I had $3.00. My mom gave me $10.00 while my dad gave me $30.00. My aunt and uncle gave me $100.00. I had another $5.00. How much did I have? Answer - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH-9mqGPiZWfhbs

[@hannahwalters3602]

Interesting. God bless and have a wonderful day

[@Bogester]

Now I have to steal this painting

[@shockingheaven]

The "cute" lamb is somehow more unsettling

[@TheChaoticAsexual]

Ghent Altarpiece: *stolen several times, called the most stolen piece of artwork ever* A random drawing my friend made: *stolen by several friends from each other and fought over dozens of times* 👁👄👁

[@ShrikarE]

Can you solve the ghent altarpeice riddle?

[@MC_lupin]

Art theft drama of the centuries

[@tc14hd23]

What is so unsettling about 4:00?

[@duckduel5820]

I just have to steal it It’s begging me to join the list

[@LegitReptile]

i wonder how old that cheese was

[@Trund27]

The animation is baller, I have to say!

[@psshatyTV]

In 1956 it was at amserdam, in the cupboard of a french ex lower. But I don't what happened to it after his death because he was already quite sick and had no family.

[@robologo]

I'm too early to have even watched the video but I can still tell it's gonna be great quality. *:* *)*

[@welken3756]

Wow.

[@lymanzerga9654]

I just watched the monuments men a few hours before this was posted.

[@moodebad]

Lamb really said 🧽👁👄👁🤏

[@Baldoxxx4000]

If I find ancient artifacts, it better make me rich

[@WinterGamesYT]

i love realist art

[@Blank-ig9ty]

The world s most stolen art work looks like a HIGH SHEEP

[@ash-ql1gw]

It's like 2 min before And just 98 views!!! I'm so early!!!

[@MC-nk8wr]

No, you are just on time.

[@kingkingo1841]

How many times was this thumbnail changed

[@katherineknapp4370]

🙏🙌 it's found

[@mayoman5199]

Cool

[@asmithsubedi2178]

That's why they say, "It's hard to preserve a valuable asset"😉

[@getriya]

lets be honest though we all know cheese is obviously way more important than famous artwork