Belgian police search fails to locate Ghent Altarpiece panel

Belgian police conducted a search of a villa in the area around Ghent as part of the investigation into the stolen panel of the Ghent Altarpiece. The panels “The Just Judges” and “John the Baptist” of the world-renowned altarpiece were stolen from St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent in April 1934.

“John the Baptist” was quickly recovered, but the other panel remains missing. The missing panel was not found during the new searches, as reported by Belgian media, including VRT.

Police and judicial authorities acted on a tip, but the investigation leader declined to comment further, as the investigation is ongoing. The lower-left panel has been replaced with a replica for now.

“The search yielded nothing, but we continue to investigate new tips,” said prosecutor Caroline Dewitte, who has been following the case for 20 years. According to Dewitte, the altarpiece is of historical and art-historical significance, both in Belgium and internationally.

“The theft also caused a great deal of commotion in the 1930s.” Dewitte considers it unlikely that the panel has been destroyed in the past decades, maintaining a glimmer of hope despite limited resources due to the elapsed time. “We will need more than the evidence collected ninety years ago, but that’s why we continue to investigate the theft.” Restoration The Ghent Altarpiece has been undergoing restoration in parts since 2012.

In March 2021, it was relocated to a new spot in the cathedral. After twelve years, the masterpiece was once again available for public viewing.

The central section, in particular, attracted significant attention. The lamb, symbolizing Jesus Christ, received piercing eyes, different ears, and a modified snout.

These changes stirred public reactions despite the restorers announcing a makeover for the lamb one and a half years before its unveiling. The lamb now has its own X account, where it mentions that it will “follow and judge” you with its piercing eyes.

Source: NOS

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