Stealing the Mystic Lamb
Stealing the Mystic Lamb: The True Story of the World's Most Coveted Masterpiece is a factual account authored by art historian Noah Charney, released in 2010 through PublicAffairs. The book traces the legacy of the Ghent Altarpiece—also titled The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb—a landmark oil painting created by the Flemish artist Jan van Eyck. This masterpiece is displayed at Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent and is distinguished as one of the most significant and frequently targeted works in art history. Charney's detailed exploration covers both its artistic importance and the many thefts and enigmas that have surrounded it since its completion in 1432.
Critical Reaction
Charney’s publication was met with positive evaluations, including a notable review from Kirkus Reviews dated 15 July 2010:
"Charney (Art History/American Univ. of Rome; The Art Thief, 2007) delves into the intricate past of Jan van Eyck’s 15th-century Ghent Altarpiece, describing it as 'the most desired and victimized object of all time.' Employing a narrative style akin to that of a novelist combined with deep knowledge of oil painting methods, he weaves together art, political, and religious histories. Starting near the conclusion of World War II, the book recounts how Allied forces recovered artworks looted by the Nazis intended for Hitler’s envisioned 'super museum,' including this altarpiece.
Charney emphasizes the piece’s structure—consisting of 20 hinged panels—and its distinction as the first major oil painting worldwide, highlighting innovations such as focused lighting effects. He outlines van Eyck’s life and details the altarpiece’s hazardous passage through eras marked by religious turmoil, fires, Napoleonic confiscations, and two World Wars. One panel remains lost, with ongoing debate about whether a purported replacement might be authentic.
An engaging narrative combining art history, intrigue, and fervor."
The Author
Noah Charney possesses advanced degrees in art history from The Courtauld Institute and Cambridge University. He established ARCA, the Association for Research into Crimes against Art, a non-profit research organization and consultancy dedicated to art crime (www.artcrime.info). His expertise has been acknowledged by prominent outlets such as The New York Times Magazine, Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, BBC Radio, NPR, among others. Charney has appeared on networks including ITV, CNBC, and MSNBC and delivers lectures internationally. Having formerly taught at Yale University, he currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Art History at the American University of Rome.
In addition to numerous articles, Charney authored the bestselling novel The Art Thief (Atria 2007), translated into fourteen languages. He also edited the scholarly volume Art & Crime: Exploring the Dark Side of the Art World (Praeger, 2009) and curated the Museum Time series focusing on Spanish museums (geoPlaneta, 2010). Residing in Italy, he remains actively involved in advancing education on art history and art crime.