After visiting the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston recently I have often wondered why one of the largest art heists in history has remained unsolved for 23 years. Empty picture frames haunt the walls on the second floor of the museum where works from Vermeer’s Concert, three Rembrandts, a Manet and five works on paper by Degas are missing.

This was a carefully planned theft. Once the thieves had tied up the only two guards in the building after hours, they took their time selecting specific pieces of artwork and cutting them out of their frames. They walked past many other masterpieces including a sketch by Michelangelo on their way to the Dutch Room. The museum’s most treasured piece, Europa, considered one of the most valuable paintings in America, was left untouched on the third floor.

Investigators are still unclear whether the heist was a local job, mafia related or the work of international criminal organization. There are many theories on why certain paintings were stolen. Some believe that the thieves were only after French and Dutch paintings; but why would they steal a Chinese Ku as well? Cutting paintings out of their frames is considered a European style of stealing art. Maybe the pieces are scattered all around Europe. False leads have led investigators to France and Japan to investigate private showrooms, only to find replicas of the paintings. Many think Whitey Bulger could have had something to do with it. Others claim that the stolen artwork could be as close by as Connecticut, or Philadelphia. There are many theories that both thieves have died and took their secrets to their graves.

Did the FBI and local authorities share information during the investigation, or where both parties petty in who takes the lead and credit for potentially solving the theft? I think back to the Boston Marathon bombing and reading where the FBI held back relevant information on the bombing suspects from the Boston Police, prior to the race and eventual terrorist attack. Did the FBI pay enough attention to the theft? An art heist might be a low priority for the FBI but the five million dollar reward begs to differ.

Why would anyone buy a stolen piece of artwork and proudly hang the work at their home, private office, estate? It’s very disturbing to think of a person or group of people standing in front of one of the stolen paintings, admiring the artists’ work, knowing that it’s closed off    from the rest of the world. I struggle with the thought that these great works of art may never be returned to their rightful place for all of us to view and enjoy again.