Skip to main content

The strange history of the world's most stolen painting - Noah Charney

845,543 Views

5,948 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Throughout six centuries, the Ghent Altarpiece, also called “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,” has been burned, forged, and raided in three different wars. It is, in fact, the world’s most stolen artwork— and is considered one of the most influential paintings ever made. What exactly makes the piece so special? Noah Charney digs into Jan van Eyck’s masterpiece.

Conservators and restorers do their best to preserve artworks, but well-meaning restorers of the past have actually impeded our understanding of some important works, like The Ghent Altarpiece. If you were leading a conservation effort, what rules would you set to ensure that the art is both preserved and not overwritten?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Noah Charney
  • Director Michael Kalopaidis, Alexia Roider, Gerta Xhelo
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Animator Maria Savva
  • Art Director Jeanne Bornet
  • Sound Designer Andreas Trachonitis
  • Producer Zedem Media, Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Script Editor Iseult Gillespie
  • Script Producer Cella Wright
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

More from The Artist's Palette