Más de uno – “La veta cultureta: La pintura más robada del mundo (y parte II)”

Podcast: Onda Cero

Host: Carlos Alsina
Date: December 18, 2025

Overview

In this episode of “La veta cultureta,” Carlos Alsina dives deep into the convoluted and mysterious history of the world’s most stolen painting: the Ghent Altarpiece (El Políptico de Gante). Picking up where he left off in the previous installment, Alsina narrates the gripping saga of the painting’s most dramatic theft—the 1934 disappearance of its famous panel, “Los Jueces Justos”—mixing history with humor and intrigue.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of the Ghent Altarpiece’s Tumultuous Past

• The painting has endured six centuries of ordeals: “acosada, quemada, cortada y por supuesto robada varias veces también por Napoleón y por Hitler.” [00:10]
• Alsina emphasizes its status as the “great monumental work of Catholic painting”—painted on panels and a repeated target of theft and destruction.

2. The Legendary 1934 Theft

• Alsina details “el mejor latrocinio de todos,” which occurred the night when “Los Jueces Justos” panel was stolen from St. Bavo’s Cathedral (San Bavón) in Ghent. [00:28]
• Shortly after, a ransom letter arrived demanding a million francs for its return.

3. The “Hitchcockian” Ransom Negotiation

• A series of ransom letters led to the thieves providing proof: “el resguardo de una taquilla en la estación de tren de Bruselas.” Inside a locker was the authentic and well-preserved reverse of the stolen panel. [00:53]
• Negotiations escalated with flourishes reminiscent of a Hitchcock film, as noted by appraiser Ana Trigo in her book Ladrones de arte:

  “La entrega del anverso con tintes hitchcockianos.” [01:10]

• The plan:
  • The conspirator to collect the ransom would carry half a newspaper page.
  • The priest paying would bring the other half of the same page.

4. The Failed Ransom Drop

• The bishop of San Bavón tried to cut corners by placing only a quarter of the demanded money in the envelope.
• This backfired—the thieves got angry and vanished without completing the handover. [01:30]

5. The Main Suspect: Arsène Joudetier

• Suspicion fell on “Arsène Joudetier, 57 años, corredor de bolsa y sacristán, laico y muy enfermo.”
• On his deathbed, Joudetier whispered to his lawyer:

  “Solo yo sé dónde está el Políptico.” [01:45]

• He guided the lawyer to a folder containing copies of all ransom letters and an unsent note:

  “Está en un lugar donde ni yo ni nadie puede llevárselo sin que lo vean los investigadores.” [02:00]

6. The Mystery Endures

• The implication: the panel never left St. Bavo’s Cathedral.
• Despite being searched six times “con rayos X por todos los muros y rincones,” it was never found. [02:18]
• “Sigue siendo un caso abierto, una dalia negra.” [02:23]

7. The “Complete” Altarpiece Today

• Visitors to Ghent see a “complete” altarpiece because an excellent copy replaces the missing panel.
• There were even suspicions that the “copy” might actually be the original—a perfect hiding place. [02:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Durante seis siglos ha sido acosada, quemada, cortada y por supuesto robada varias veces también por Napoleón y por Hitler.”
  Carlos Alsina, 00:10
  Emphasizing the painting’s remarkable resilience and troubled history.

• “La cosa iba en serio y se empezó a negociar la entrega del anverso con tintes hitchcockianos, o así lo califica la tasadora Ana Trigo en su libro Ladrones de arte.”
  Carlos Alsina, 01:10
  Comparing the intrigue to Hitchcock’s suspenseful narratives.

• “Solo yo sé dónde está el Políptico.”
  Presunto ladrón Arsène Joudetier (citado por Alsina), 01:45
  A haunting, mysterious confession from the suspect’s deathbed.

• “Está en un lugar donde ni yo ni nadie puede llevárselo sin que lo vean los investigadores.”
  Carta inédita de Joudetier, 02:00
  Hinting the altarpiece’s panel remains hidden in plain sight.

• “Sigue siendo un caso abierto, una dalia negra.”
  Carlos Alsina, 02:23
  Comparing the unresolved case to the notorious Black Dahlia mystery.

Important Timestamps

• 00:01 — Introduction to the Ghent Altarpiece’s infamous history
• 00:28 — The 1934 theft and ransom demand
• 00:53 — Discovery of the panel’s reverse in a train station locker
• 01:10 — Hitchcockian ransom negotiation
• 01:30 — Failed ransom drop and disappearance of the thieves
• 01:45 — Joudetier’s deathbed confession
• 02:00 — Unsent letter revealing the secret
• 02:18 — Repeated X-ray searches and enduring mystery
• 02:40 — The current state of the Ghent Altarpiece

Tone and Style

Carlos Alsina mixes informative storytelling with playful wit, maintaining a tone that is both captivating and lightly humorous. He draws the listener into the labyrinthine events, providing historical detail without losing narrative momentum, exemplifying the unique “cultureta” blend of deep knowledge and accessible entertainment.

Conclusion

This episode is a rich, engaging retelling of one of art history’s greatest mysteries, filled with intrigue, colorful characters, and enduring questions. Even if you have never heard about the Ghent Altarpiece or its many misfortunes, Alsina’s vivid narration ensures you’re hooked from start to finish.