In 1934, the Ghent Altarpiece, a masterpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, was stolen, sparking a national crisis in Belgium. The thief, Arsène Goedertier, confessed on his deathbed but the panel was never recovered. The mystery deepened during the Second World War when the Nazis tried to locate the missing piece. The investigation was muddled, with theories involving a bishop and hidden accomplices. Decades later, the case remains unsolved, with some believing the panel may be hidden in plain sight. The captivating tale of the stolen altarpiece continues to intrigue, offering no clear answers.
https://www.historytoday.com/archive/missing-pieces/theft-ghent-altarpiece