The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston announced it would not open on Saturday, the same day that marks the 33rd anniversary of the museum’s infamous art theft. “We were told that climate activists were planning a protest at the museum that could potentially endanger our community and artworks,” a written statement from a spokesperson said. “After careful consideration and an abundance of caution for the safety of our employees, volunteers, visitors and collection, we have made the difficult decision to remain closed today.” On March 18, 1990, $500 million worth of art was stolen from the museum on Huntington Avenue near the Back Bay Fens. According to authorities, two men posing as Boston police officers entered the museum by telling a security guard they were responding to a report of a disturbance. The guard and a colleague were handcuffed and locked in the cellar, while the thieves made off with the 13 works of art. The Concert,” one of fewer than 40 known paintings by the 17th-century Dutch painter. Video: From the Archive: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Art Robbery The Gardner Museum 33 Years Ago,” the museum’s written statement said. The museum says climate activists around the world have protested, sadly using art museums as a stage to promote their cause. art, but also the environment, especially horticulture,” said Peggy Fogelman, the director of Norma Jean Calderwood. “While our mission is to uphold Isabella’s values, we support tactics like this that target arts could potentially endanger the museum’s collection, staff and visitors.”
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston announced it would not open on Saturday, the same day that marks the 33rd anniversary of the museum’s infamous art theft.
“We were told that climate activists were planning a protest at the museum that could potentially endanger our community and artworks,” a written statement from a spokesperson said. “After careful consideration and a plethora of warnings for the safety of our employees, volunteers, visitors and collection, we have made the difficult decision to remain closed today.”
On March 18, 1990, $500 million worth of art was stolen from the museum on Huntington Avenue near the Back Bay Fens.
According to authorities, two men posing as Boston police officers entered the museum by telling a security guard they were responding to a report of a disturbance. The guard and a colleague were handcuffed and locked in the cellar while the thieves made off with the 13 works of art.
The missing pieces include Rembrandt’s only known seascape, “Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee,” and Vermeer’s “The Concert,” one of fewer than 40 known paintings by the 17th-century Dutch painter.
Video: From the Archives: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Art Robbery
“This protest was intentionally scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the art theft that occurred 33 years ago at the Gardner Museum,” the museum’s written statement said.
The museum says climate activists around the world have protested, unfortunately using art museums as a stage to promote their cause.
“Isabella Stewart Gardner envisioned her museum as a place where art, community, and conversation were shared. She was an advocate for all forms of the arts, as well as the environment, especially horticulture,” said Peggy Fogelman, the director of Norma Jean Calderwood. “While it is our mission to uphold Isabella’s values, we support such tactics that target art institutions and potentially endanger the museum’s collection, staff and visitors.”