On March 18, 1990, a pair of thieves disguised as Boston police officers entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and stole 13 priceless works of art. Twelve of the 13 pieces stolen are included in this gallery. Here you see one of five "Gouache" drawings by Edgar Degas.
The search for stolen masterpieces —
On March 18, 1990, a pair of thieves disguised as Boston police officers entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and stole 13 priceless works of art. Twelve of the 13 pieces stolen are included in this gallery. Here you see one of five "Gouache" drawings by Edgar Degas.
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Upon entering, the intruders handcuffed the security guards, bound them with duct tape and left them in the basement, authorities said at the time. Pictured here is another of Degas' "Gouache" drawings.
The search for stolen masterpieces —
Upon entering, the intruders handcuffed the security guards, bound them with duct tape and left them in the basement, authorities said at the time. Pictured here is another of Degas' "Gouache" drawings.
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
In less than 90 minutes, the bandits went through the museum's Dutch Room on the second floor and stole three Rembrandts, including the Dutch artist's only seascape, "Storm on the Sea of Galilee," along with Vermeer's "The Concert," five Degas drawings and other items, according to the museum's website. Pictured here: a third of Degas' "Gouache" drawings.
The search for stolen masterpieces —
In less than 90 minutes, the bandits went through the museum's Dutch Room on the second floor and stole three Rembrandts, including the Dutch artist's only seascape, "Storm on the Sea of Galilee," along with Vermeer's "The Concert," five Degas drawings and other items, according to the museum's website. Pictured here: a third of Degas' "Gouache" drawings.
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Pictured here: a fourth of Degas' "Gouache" drawings.
The search for stolen masterpieces —
Pictured here: a fourth of Degas' "Gouache" drawings.
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The fifth of Degas' "Gouache" drawings.
The search for stolen masterpieces —
The fifth of Degas' "Gouache" drawings.
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
"Landscape with an Obelisk" by Govaert Flinck
The search for stolen masterpieces —
"Landscape with an Obelisk" by Govaert Flinck
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Finial in the form of an eagle, gilt metal (bronze), French
The search for stolen masterpieces —
Finial in the form of an eagle, gilt metal (bronze), French
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
"A Lady and Gentleman in Black" by Rembrandt
The search for stolen masterpieces —
"A Lady and Gentleman in Black" by Rembrandt
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
"Self-Portrait" by Rembrandt
The search for stolen masterpieces —
"Self-Portrait" by Rembrandt
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
"The Storm on the Sea of Galilee," the only seasscape painted by Rembrandt.
The search for stolen masterpieces —
"The Storm on the Sea of Galilee," the only seasscape painted by Rembrandt.
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
"The Concert" by Vermeer
The search for stolen masterpieces —
"The Concert" by Vermeer
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Chinese bronze beaker or Ku, A Chinese, Shang Dynasty, 1200-1100 B.C.ancient bronze beaker.
The search for stolen masterpieces —
Chinese bronze beaker or Ku, A Chinese, Shang Dynasty, 1200-1100 B.C.ancient bronze beaker.
From Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The search for stolen masterpieces

Story highlights

Authorities search the home of alleged mobster

An attorney for Robert Gentile said it's the second time authorities have scoured the man's home.

The infamous 1990 art heist resulted in the theft of iconic pieces from Rembrandt and Degas

CNN  — 

Law enforcement agents began searching the Connecticut home of an alleged mobster on Thursday. But the suspect’s attorney says authorities are actually hunting for hundreds of millions of dollars in stolen art that went missing from a Boston museum more than 20 years ago.

Ryan McGuigan, an attorney for Robert Gentile, a 76-year-old Connecticut man facing federal drug charges and illegal firearms possession, said it’s the second time authorities have scoured the man’s home.

“Pursuant to the search warrant, they are looking for firearms,” said McGuigan. “But they’re not really looking for firearms. They’re looking for $500 million in (art stolen) from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on March 18, 1990.”

Pieces by Rembrandt and Degas were among the artworks stolen in the notorious heist.

exp Point Ryan McGuigan_00002001
exp Point Ryan McGuigan_00002001
video

Related video Alleged mobster's home searched for art

The U.S. Attorney’s office declined to comment on the apparent search.

Manchester Police spokesman Chris Davis said law enforcement agents were at the scene and that the FBI had been requested.

In an earlier statement, the museum said it “does not have any comments about the Robert Gentile case in Connecticut.”

“The Museum continues to offer a $5 million reward for information leading to the recovery of the artworks in good condition,” the statement read. “Anyone with information about the theft, the location of the stolen artworks, and/or the investigation, should contact the Gardner Museum.”

Hours after St. Patrick’s Day festivities wrapped up in Boston on March 18, 1990, two men dressed as police officers knocked on the museum’s side security entrance.

Upon entering, the intruders handcuffed the security guards, bound them with duct tape and left them in the basement, authorities said at the time.

In less than 90 minutes, the bandits went through the museum’s Dutch Room on the second floor and stole three Rembrandts, including the Dutch artist’s only seascape, “Storm on the Sea of Galilee,” along with Vermeer’s “The Concert,” five Degas drawings and other items, according to the museum’s website.

The thieves also apparently tried to steal a fourth Rembrandt but were unsuccessful, the FBI reported at the time. The agency said that their early investigation led authorities to examine several different groups, including members of Boston’s organized crime gangs and the Irish Republican Army.

CNN’s Jake Carpenter contributed to this report.