Podcast Summary: Más de uno — La veta cultureta: La pintura más robada del mundo (parte I)
Host: Carlos Alsina (OndaCero)
Date: December 18, 2025
Overview of Episode Theme
This episode of "Más de uno" dives into the fascinating and tumultuous history of the Ghent Altarpiece (or the "Políptico de Gante"), considered by many as the most stolen painting in history. Carlos Alsina, in his signature informative and humorous style, unravels the epic saga behind this iconic work: its religious significance, repeated thefts, dramatic recoveries, and the reasons it stands as a symbol of both art and intrigue in European history. This is the first of a two-part cultural deep dive.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Significance of the Ghent Altarpiece
- The Ghent Altarpiece is described as "la obra pictórica más importante de toda la historia de la cristiandad" — the most significant painting in all of Christendom.
- Created by the Flemish master Jan van Eyck in the 15th century for St Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, the polyptych presents the biblical journey from the Annunciation through to the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.
- Quote:
"Es probable que sea la obra pictórica más importante de toda la historia de la cristiandad. Una enorme pintura múltiple por paneles que representa el viaje bíblico desde la Anunciación hasta la Redención, hasta la Adoración del Cordero Místico."
— Carlos Alsina [00:01-00:40]
2. The Record for Most Thefts
- According to writer Noah Charney, no work of art has been stolen as many times:
"Ninguna obra en la historia ha sido tantas veces robada. Hasta 13 veces ha estado involucrada en distintos sucesos criminales."
— Carlos Alsina [00:53-01:03] - The artwork endured assaults from religious iconoclasts, revolutionary leaders, and 20th-century tyrants.
3. Surviving Calvinist Iconoclasm
- In the 16th century, Protestant reformers threatened the altarpiece with destruction. Thanks to the swift action of the cathedral’s canons, it was dismantled and hidden in the bell tower to keep it safe.
4. Napoleonic Theft and the Louvre
- During the 19th century, Napoleon took panels to the Louvre, only returning them after the Bourbon Restoration in France.
5. The Vicario’s Audacious Robbery
- The story takes a wondrous turn in 1816 when Victorinox, the vicar of St Bavo’s, stole six out of twelve panels and sold them to a Brussels dealer, who then sold them to an English collector, eventually ending up in the hands of the King of Prussia and displayed in the Royal Museum of Berlin.
- Quote:
"En 1816, el propio Victorinox, vicario de San Pavón, roba seis de los doce paneles del políptico y se los vende a un marchante de Bruselas, que a su vez se los vende a un coleccionista inglés, que a su vez se los vende al rey de Prusia..."
— Carlos Alsina [01:25-01:45]
6. Post-WWI and the Treaty of Versailles
- Following Germany's defeat in World War I, these panels were repatriated to Belgium as part of the peace settlement — a moment described as a national triumph akin to "reunir las bolas de dragón" (gathering the Dragon Balls).
- Notably, this repatriation was also seen by Germany as a "humiliation".
7. Nazi Looting and Monument Men
- Because of these events, Hitler placed the Ghent Altarpiece at the top of his wish list during WWII.
- In 1945, as Nazi defeat loomed, German forces nearly destroyed the altarpiece by trying to dynamite the Austrian salt mine where it was hidden. This was narrowly averted by the US Army, and the artwork was repatriated, thanks in part to the famous "Monuments Men".
- Quote:
"Por eso los nazis, despechados en el 45, tratarían de dinamitar la mina de sal austríaca donde escondían el políptico. Lo evitó por los pelos el ejército estadounidense, George Clooney y el resto de los llamados monument men."
— Carlos Alsina [02:35-02:49]
8. The Ongoing Mystery
- Despite its heroic recovery, the altarpiece remains "impressive but incomplete" — hinting at unresolved chapters yet to be covered in the following episode.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the Ghent Altarpiece's significance:
"Porque es probable que sea la obra pictórica más importante de toda la historia de la cristiandad."
[00:14-00:20] - On the vicissitudes of the panels:
"Fue como reunir las bolas de dragón, un gran acontecimiento nacional. Para los alemanes fue una humillación."
[01:57-02:06]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:01-00:40 — Introduction to the Ghent Altarpiece and its significance
- 00:53-01:03 — Record for number of thefts explained
- 01:25-01:45 — The vicar’s heist and chain of sales across Europe
- 01:57-02:06 — Post-WWI repatriation and national sentiment
- 02:35-02:49 — Narrow rescue from Nazi destruction by the Monuments Men
Episode Tone
Carlos Alsina maintains an engaging, witty tone throughout, mixing highbrow historical detail with pop culture nods (such as to George Clooney and the Dragon Ball reference) to make a complex art history saga lively and accessible.
Closing Note
The episode sets the stage for a future installment, promising to delve into the “rocambolesco y por resolver” — the unsolved, extraordinary mysteries still surrounding the Ghent Altarpiece.