The mystery of the "Righteous Judges"

Of all the enigmas in art history, this one is my (and, I am sure, almost everyone's) favourite, ever since I first heard about it.

In 1934, a panel depicting the Iusti Iudices ('Righteous Judges'), from the famous Ghent altarpiece, was stolen from St. Bavo's cathedral in Ghent (Belgium).
It has never been found.

It is not known why that particular panel was stolen, but theories abound...

Here is one account.

And here is another one.

But the story is much more intricate - and interesting - than I can even begin to describe here, so I would urge anyone who's interested to research it further.

Oh, and my favourite tidbit: one of the many suspects and people involved in this investigation reportedly said that it's hidden in plain sight.

It figures.









[edit on 9-5-2008 by Vanitas]

Are there no Belgians here?
No Dutch either...?
Or are people just too damn lazy to go on a good old-fashioned treasure hunt?

Tsk, tsk, tsk...

a bit late to post but i'm from Belgium and ive heard lots about the theft and dissapearance.
Arsène Goedertier (the one who stole the painting and hid it) was even born in the village i live in...
Would be sweet to go look for the missing painting.