Empty frames

The Gardner Museum is not Boston's largest museum, but the unique 15th-century Venetian style palace is home to some of city's priceless masterpieces.

Though museum officials are reluctant to talk about the robbery, which one museum source referred to as "an unfortunate part of the museum's history," empty frames that continue to hang on the walls serve as a constant reminder.

Empty frames that had encased works by Rembrandt and Vermeer continue to hang today on some of the walls of the museum's Dutch Room

Museum administrators had little choice in leaving the empty frames for visitors to see. Isabella Stewart Gardner herself left specific instructions about how the museum should be maintained upon her death. Gardner willed that nothing in the collection, which includes approximately 2,500 pieces spanning 30 centuries, be changed.

Museum officials no longer allow the press to photograph the empty frames, nor will they discuss the robbery at length, citing concerns that the ongoing investigation could be compromised.

"These rare and important treasures of art need to be returned to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and be on view again for the general public. When people often talk of the monetary value of works of art, the value of artworks extends far beyond such a measure," said director Anne Hawley in a written statement. "Let this year, as we embark on our Centennial celebrations, be further celebrated by the return of these stolen treasures to the Gardner — and to a waiting public ready to join in on the celebration."

La Sortie du Pelage, one of five Degas works stolen in the heist

Besides the empty frames. a small, simple sign stating the date of the robbery hangs in the place of the stolen Degas drawings.

Easier to miss is a small dent in the wall inches from a flag that once belonged to Napoleon. Though the flag still stands in the corner of the museum's Short Gallery, the finial — a bronze eagle — is missing.

Since the robbery, the museum has obtained insurance and has expanded its security system. Today, the security staff is larger than any other department in the museum.

Though not permitted to speak on the record to the media, some staffers expressed hopes that the works will return home.

Said one optimistic employee, "We're going to get them back."