On the date of March 18, 1990, two men disguised as police officers made off with 13 pieces of art valued at over $500 million USD.
The Case:
A Major art theft within the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum involved the theft of 13 artworks, totaling over $500 million, executed by two individuals impersonating police officers. The thieves incapacitated the security guards, utilized 81 minutes to remove the art pieces, and left the empty frames hanging in the museum, they continue to be shown as of today’s modern day The FBI has launched an investigation and is currently offering a $10 million reward for the recovery of the stolen art.
Possible Suspects & Safety Precautions: Prior to resolving the case, Carmello Merlino, a mob associate operating a repair shop in Dorchester, allegedly sent George Reissfelder—a petty criminal—and Leonard DiMuzio—previously connected to home invasions—into the museum to steal the paintings, according to reports from The Globe. In the aftermath, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has instituted measures that focus on health and safety, including timed ticketing to manage visitor flow and compliance with CDC and state guidelines to protect both guests and staff, while enforcing a no-touch policy to preserve the art and artifacts. Previously inadequate security protocols contributed to the 1990 art theft, but current practices likely reflect enhanced procedures that address earlier deficiencies.
The individuals shown below are believed to be persons of interest in this case:
(Bobby Donati),
(George Reissfelder) 
(Murphy)
George Reissfelder and Murphy are thought to have impersonated police officers, while Bobby Donati is associated with the crime through connections with other mob leaders, as he may have facilitated the release of one of his associates from prison. (Images found from Google)
Possible Motives:
The exact motivation behind the 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist remains unclear, but the prevailing theory suggests that the artworks were taken for a wealthy, private collector or possibly as a bargaining tool for illicit operations likely orchestrated by a mafia organization.
Conclusion:
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a notable early 20th-century house museum renowned for its inviting ambiance and varied collection; yet, its narrative is forever altered by a notorious art theft in 1990, which remains one of the largest property crimes globally, with all stolen items still unaccounted for. Built under Gardner’s careful guidance to create an immersive art environment, the museum was expanded in 2012 to include modern facilities while preserving its original architectural and artistic integrity.
Works Cited:
History’s Biggest Art (Klein, 2015)
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist (NP, n.d.)
The Biggest Unsolved Art Heist Happened 35 Years Ago: Why Lead Investigator Believes ‘Paintings Will Be Recovered’ (Baker, 2025)
