Watch Art of the Heist

Art of the Heist is a thrilling television series that originally aired on Ovation in 2007. Narrated by Dion Graham, the show tells the stories of some of the most infamous art thefts throughout history. Each episode highlights a different heist and examines the intricate planning and execution that went into stealing some of the world's most valuable and coveted pieces of art.

The show features Robert K. Wittman, a former FBI agent and expert in art crime who played a crucial role in recovering many of the stolen pieces featured on the show. Wittman provides expert insights into the minds of art thieves and provides an insider's perspective on how law enforcement agencies work to recover stolen artwork.

The show's format is a mix of reenactments and interviews with art experts, historians, and law enforcement officials. The reenactments are well-done and help to bring each heist to life. The interviews provide a wealth of knowledge and background information about the art and the people involved in each heist.

The first episode of the series focuses on the theft of Edvard Munch's iconic painting, "The Scream," from the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway. The episode examines the theft's aftermath and how the painting was eventually recovered. The show provides a detailed look at the investigation and the role that Wittman played in its successful conclusion.

Other notable heists that are featured on the show include the famous theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in Paris, the robbery of Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the theft of Johannes Vermeer's "The Concert" from Boston's Gardner Museum. The show also covers lesser-known heists, such as the theft of a Rembrandt self-portrait from an Austrian museum and the disappearance of a collection of ancient artifacts from the Baghdad Museum during the Iraq War.

One of the show's greatest strengths is its ability to provide in-depth information about each heist without becoming overly technical or dry. The show strikes a perfect balance between providing enough information to satisfy those knowledgeable about art and art theft without excluding those who are more casual viewers.

Throughout the episodes, we see how thieves have exploited weaknesses in security systems, how insiders have betrayed their trust, and how greed has motivated some of the most daring heists in history.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Art of the Heist is the way it explores the human side of art theft. It looks at the motivations and personalities of the thieves and the victims, and how these factors can influence the outcome of a heist. The show acknowledges that while stealing art is a crime, it's often a surprisingly personal and emotional crime that can be difficult to fully understand.

Overall, Art of the Heist is a fascinating and engaging show that will appeal to anyone interested in art, true crime, or history. It's well-produced, well-researched, and provides a unique perspective on some of the world's most notorious art heists. The show was well-received by audiences and critics alike when it first aired in 2007, and it remains a must-watch for anyone interested in art theft and the world of international crime.

Art of the Heist is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (22 episodes). The series first aired on May 22, 2007.