S26-18 Stealing Beauty: The World’s Greatest Art Heists
Class | Registration opens 3/2/2026 9:00 AM EST
This series of four lectures (two in spring 2026; two in fall 2026) will discuss some of the world’s most infamous art thefts including the rampages of Napoleon and Hitler throughout Europe and Africa, the buying and keeping of looted art by worldfamous museums, as well as the “blood antiquities” stolen by ISIS in exchange for guns and ammunition. Not only will the thefts be discussed, but also the reasons why these particular works were so coveted. Examples include: The Ghent Altarpiece (stolen seven times), the heart-wrenching Dying Gaul, the Bayeux Tapestry (Hitler and Napoleon wanted this 230-foot embroidered piece of linen cloth to justify invading England), the Byzantine bronze horses of St. Mark’s cathedral, and Klimt’s dazzling The Woman in Gold. We will also reassess the Mona Lisa whose reason for fame was being stolen, and ironically, was stolen for all the wrong reasons
Irene Sommers
Professor Sommers holds an MA in Art History from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and has taught art history for over 15 years. Prior to her academic career she was Manager of Public Policy for Bayer Pharmaceuticals and an Administrative Editor for The New York Times Magazine Group. She has led several student tours to museums around the world, specializing in France and Italy. Professor Sommers is also in the process of writing a book on the issue of who owns the world's art. Is it the art work's nation of origin or the more easily accessible world-class museums who currently hold the majority of world's great masterpieces?