Readers Reply

BR’s Cover Has Been Stolen

My immediate reaction on glancing at BR’s April cover was extreme sadness. I last saw Rembrandt’s painting of “Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee” just two weeks before it was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum several years ago. The painting remains at large.

All too often after a major art work is stolen, media attention very quickly dies down and people forget that a major work is gone. Unfortunately, this fact must be a great incentive to those who steal.

Although BR correctly attributes the painting to the Gardner, no mention of the theft was made. I realize the article talks about understanding Jesus’ miracles and not about the painting or art theft, but it would have been a courtesy to the Gardner and a service to the public to let readers know that the painting was stolen. Sadly, a miracle may be what is needed to recover this exquisite work of religious art.

Joan Norris, marketing director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, replies:

We are always pleased to see images from our collection like the one on your April issue of the Rembrandt painting, The Storm on the Sea of Galilee.