16. The most stolen work of artwork in history is the Ghent Altar Piece
The theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 made Leonardo da Vinci’s painting famous. Few people, however, have heard of the Ghent Altarpiece, which thieves targetted no less than seven times. Also known as the Adoration of the Mystic lamb the 12-paneled piece was painted in 1432 by Flemish artist Jan Van Eyck. Anti iconic Calvinists intent on destroying it, greedy Napoleonic soldiers, unscrupulous art dealers, and the Nazis have all made off with selections of the panels. On six occasions, the stolen pieces were recovered and returned to the artwork’s home in St. Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent. However, in 1934, the panel depicting the Righteous Judges was held to ransom. The thieves never returned it.