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.
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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.
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View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/the-strang...
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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.

[@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

[@galenpemberton4382]

Glad to confirm that cheese is more important than famous art

[@sunflower-vz4du]

We can eat cheese but we can't eat an art piece I guess?

[@Alkalus]

Indeed

[@shoaib_zubair]

i didn't get why are you comparing it with cheese? what is the story about it?

[@jorgewilliam7103]

@@shoaib_zubair 0:35

[@shoaib_zubair]

@@jorgewilliam7103 thanks. maybe i didn't catchup with the ascent .

[@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

[@nacl7818]

Imagine someone stealing your precious painting then realising cops care more about cheese

[@ultimatebishoujo29]

I know right?

[@blueyvids931]

I ned chese

[@sheer9203]

GIVE CHESE

[@ChensCheese]

people just like cheese

[@M32_722]

Some cheeses do take years to make but still yeah I get it.

[@shreyasadalgekar5869]

Ted ed rocks, the story telling, information animation and all its so entertaining

[@ganeshr3493]

not the voice though

[@michaeljacksheeheen]

@Ohm of Life this isn’t my favorite narrator but it’s still nice, I’m not sure why they feel that way

[@samy4311]

BabeminzGirlsszz.SpaCe

[@internetchocolate6733]

And it’s very accessible- has captions

[@tekuaniaakab2050]

“Alright it’s my first day on the job, I can’t wait to solve some cases” “Johnson you’re assigned to the painting lost about 100 years ago” “Ah poop”

[@lambradi]

actually I'd do that 24/7 if I was paid enough. What am I saying, if I was paid at all.

[@seafoam8845]

@Who am I? Sophisticated guessing! Hey buddy, respect the hustle. But advertising on another channel will get you more hate than actual people who will stick around. I suggest just continuing the work on the side and making good content consistently. Also stop advertising, thanks.

[@mariustan9275]

@@seafoam8845 what?

[@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

[@JadeTrading]

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

[@Luffy_wastaken]

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

[@ultimatebishoujo29]

I know right?

[@miacorliss1151]

"the original face of the Ghent mystic lamb can't hurt you" the original Ghent lamb: 4:22

[@diekje8728]

Don’t forgot about the times it was saved during the iconoclasm, drilled through, was almost used as a gift for Queen Elisabeth I (because we liked her more than Philip II of Spain), the French Revolution, Napoleon gave it back to us, we sold it to Prussia where she was censored and badly kept which caused paint to crack, bulge and disappear. Although notable detail, the whole altar piece is still in its original medieval oak frame and legend has it that one of the judges in the missed panel is modeled after king Leopold III to clarify that it is indeed a copy

[@Benni777]

Mental note: don’t tell your dentist the things that you’ve stolen 😂

[@peterthepanda]

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

[@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?

[@rorireiswig5614]

Anyone else stuck on the fact that the sheep looked surprisingly humanoid? I can’t get over that, and I’m not even sure why

[@JJ-fv2ti]

Probably because the Van Eyck brothers wanted it to look more human-like, since in Catholic theology, the ‘Lamb of God’, as depicted in the painting is Christ.

[@sreejasrivaram8250]

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

[@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

[@plantliyo]

Imagine a cavity saving a handful of priceless art from destruction

[@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.

[@khushiSingh-zw8rz]

The animation, the music, the narration, the content... Phenomenal as always! Shout out to the amazing team at ted ed for interesting information throughout the pandemic..

[@woodwood7322]

Ted Ed is the best educational KZbin channel

[@sameera4413]

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

[@TheShubhamagrawal16]

This is now a AR experience in the Cathedral. It was one of the best things I ever watched.

[@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 🥰

[@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"

[@blalhber5447]

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

[@argandzero0]

It's absolutely breath taking yet tragic.

[@abigailjohnson7719]

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

[@secular_being]

The editing and animation are so dope

[@ZOCCOK]

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

[@adorabledork89]

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

[@Unraveled]

I loved the animation in this one! It was awesome!

[@craigoda4284]

Keep up the good work! Ted ed☺

[@amitajoshi3209]

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

[@scifacts3937]

Great video as usual❤❤❤

[@VEE727]

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

[@pratima142]

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

[@user-br5nf2xx4q]

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

[@daveouim3486]

Not only am I early but I just heard of this piece last night, a nice coincidence!

[@gachaandrobloxfamily9096]

I love the animation good job ted ed

[@myaccountdied]

Wow, I remember seeing a copy of this in Kylemore Abbey a few years back.

[@YouAndImpact]

Great video 👍

[@ZOCCOK]

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

[@mcxydust]

Can we take a moment to appreciate the theme of the videooo. It's so aesthetic 💛

[@khianjoshabesamis9608]

Love the animation!

[@naturesgirl6864]

Wow interesting and mysterious altarpiece..❤️

[@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

[@vaneyck8186]

Masterpiece Videography

[@mubeccelferidenurturkun2838]

Animation is beautiful❤❤

[@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.

[@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

[@alexandermestre5208]

A "monuments men" movie would be dope

[@Wired4Life2]

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

[@samy4311]

BabeminzGirlsszz.SpaCe

[@hannahwalters3602]

Interesting. God bless and have a wonderful day

[@arniecalang4583]

ok this is intriguing

[@arniecalang4583]

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

[@peppapig17453]

Woah. The Lamb restoration was shocking.

[@mariayoussef6]

This is an amazing video! I want to make cinematic videos like this on my channel!

[@harsh3624]

3:17 How many buses in length is that?

[@Amitdas-gk2it]

TY ☺️

[@Noukz37]

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

[@JustANervousWreck]

The Altered Altar-piece!

[@sisiruben4077]

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

[@number1kenyan]

Plot twist: The painting is princess peach

[@sheer9203]

BAHAHAHAHQHJIAAAJAJQIKQAQQ

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

Nice video.

[@jaybee2530]

Greetings from Ghent! Happy hollidays everybody!

[@YourBestSpal]

I literally just watched Monuments Men witch was about protecting art in WW2

[@harshshukla2412]

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

[@jairocorrales7370]

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

[@siemdecleyn3198]

The altarpiece houses in one of the prettiest cathedrals I know: Saint Bavo's Cathedral.

[@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?

[@JamesSmith-rb5lv]

Ah, the Solar Sands painting!

[@this_is_patrick]

Imagine wanting to help your community by creating a temporary copy only to be accused to bw the true art thief. If I were him I'd take the copy back lmao.

[@dailydoseofmedicinee]

👍How does smoking affect the body? Lung damage. Heart disease. Fertility problems. Pregnancy complications. Type 2 diabetes. Weakened immune system. Vision problems. Poor oral hygiene.

[@Link_t.]

Yet i know people that have smoked their whole life and don’t have any of your listed effects

[@dungbeetle3267]

It’s long term

[@precious6727]

@@Link_t. And I know people who have played sports their whole lives and have never broken a bone. That doesn't mean people don't break bones playing sports. (Not saying sports are bad or anything but there is an increased risk of breaking something)

[@casparvoncampenhausen5249]

@@Link_t. let me tell you about fallacies

[@ShivamPandey-dh2hr]

Which app do you use to make your videos ??

[@ophelie3818]

My grandfather has this friend who is obsessed with the mystery behind this painting "Het Lam Gods". He has lots of theories about what happened to it and once, in the Sint-Baafskathedraal where the remains of this painting are, he hid himself in the cathedral and was there for an entire night searching for the stolen art. Like ? How even? He's a cool dude though! If you ever go to Belgium, go visit this painting. It's huge and beyond this world.

[@ophelie3818]

Fun fact: my grandfather and his friend both worked their entire lives for the police of Ghent. They were born in the 50s so they weren't involved in the cheese theft though

[@Trund27]

The animation is baller, I have to say!

[@LindeusTheBaum]

Saw the restaurated version recently. Very large

[@herbertgamwell5364]

Wait, is it me or the preview pic for this vid actually changes?

[@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]

[@canned_can_chan4590]

i recognised the painting from solar sand's video lol

[@CATCATCAT-Gaming]

Well in finnaly early and its on an education channel

[@kurushi857]

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

[@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.

[@veasnapiseth3578]

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

[@Bogester]

Now I have to steal this painting

[@mukii6938]

I love cheese. Glad to know it was prioritised.

[@gaygandalf4004]

So on that guys armor is the first instance of painted raytracing.

[@warreprovoost4358]

Glad that Het Lam Gods gets represented

[@lymanzerga9654]

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

[@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.

[@robologo]

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

[@googleuser9519]

Ted Ed it would be nice if the videos are in 4k please

[@javierjp8549]

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

[@welken3756]

Wow.

[@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

[@arwenvanhollebeke]

As a Belgian myself, I think it's very funny how you pronounce these names, haha. But the video is so well made, I loved it! Oh, and if you ever have the opportunity to visit the work, take your chance because it is absolutely beautiful :-)