$10M Reward Extended For Return Of Stolen Gardner Museum Art

BOSTON (CBS) - The reward for the return of precious artwork stolen from a Boston museum is back, and it's as big as ever.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is extending the $10-million reward that was set to expire at the end of last year. Investigators hope that huge sum will encourage people with information to come forward.

Read: 'Indiana Jones Of The Art World' Says He Can Solve Gardner Museum Art Heist

They are some of the most valuable paintings in the world, Vermeer's "The Concert," Rembrandt's "Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee" and Degas' "Leaving the Paddock."

But in 1990, two thieves disguised as Boston Police officers stole those pieces of art and 10 others, making it the largest art heist in history. The masterpieces are worth more than $500-million.

"I really do think we are moving the ball downfield," says Anthony Amore, the Gardner's Director of Security.

He says when the museum doubled the reward last year to $10-million, it helped.

"We received a real outpouring of information from people in the public which prompted us to say we should extend this because it was productive to get people to try and help us," he says.

Empty frames where the paintings once hung are still a reminder of the loss at the museum. New information is what they hope will lead them to the artwork.

"We are looking for 13 needles in a haystack, and everything we do, all the work we do, even when we eliminate bad leads, we're making the haystack smaller," says Amore.

If you have information that could help call Anthony Amore at (617) 278-5114 or emailing theft@gardnermuseum.org.

For more information please visit: gardnermuseum.org/resources/theft