Art
‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Solves Mystery Of World’s Biggest Art Heist
The latest episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds may have fans buzzing about the implications to real-world (and Star Trek) history, but it also included a nod to art history, specifically a famous art heist—and offered up a solution to a decades-old mystery.
Pelia’s Vermeer
One of the early scenes in “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” featured Lt. La’an Noonien-Singh doing a security check on what new engineer Pelia was bringing on board the Enterprise. She had quite a collection of antiques, including a unique painting which the ancient Lanthanite claimed was a “fake,” even though the Louvre kept calling to have it returned. After traveling back in time, La’an spotted the same stolen painting in Pelia’s Vermont “Archeology Department” shop in the 21st century.
Pelia and her painting in “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow”
The specific painting is a famous one, an oil on canvas by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer titled The Concert. It is considered a masterpiece of the Dutch Golden Age and a particularly exquisite example of Vermeer’s celebrated attention to detail. Vermeer’s unique style was the subject of the 2013 documentary Tim’s Vermeer. The creation of the painting was featured in the 2003 dramatic film Girl with a Pearl Earring (based on the novel of the same name) about Vermeer.
Vermeer’s The Concert
As indicated in the Star Trek episode, Vermeer’s The Concert was indeed stolen; in fact, it’s considered to be the most valuable stolen object in the world, valued at $250 million in 2015. Despite mentions of the famed Louvre Museum in Paris, this specific painting was one of thirteen objects of art stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in 1990, and was the highest-valued item stolen.
The Gardner Museum Theft remains an open case with the local police and the FBI, with a $10 million reward for information that leads to the recovery of the art. In 2021, it was the subject of the Netflix docuseries This Is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist.
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So, it’s case closed. Vermeer’s painting is in a little shop in Vermont, and eventually, it will end up on the USS Enterprise in the 23rd century. It’s unclear if the producers of Star Trek are implying that Pelia was involved in the heist or if she acquired the painting in the following decades. It’s possible that the painting was recovered and then displayed at the Louvre before coming into her possession.
La’an points out the stolen painting in Pelia’s shop in “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.”
Star Trek didn’t have the first pop culture appearance of this painting. Besides the novel and feature film mentioned above, The Concert and the Gardner Heist have been featured on a number of TV shows and books, including The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Blindspot, The Blacklist, Monk, The Venture Bros., Shameless, and The Simpsons.
From The Simpsons season 21 “American History X-cellent”
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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