Their View: Stealing timeless art robs us of more than money Robert Maguire Contributing Columnist FacebookTwitterEmail The recent publication of the book, “The Woman Who Stole Vermeer” by Anthony M. Armor, chronicles the story of a highly educated English heiress who turned revolutionary for the IRA. This story of Bridget Dugdale is about the mastermind behind one of the most valuable art heists in history, the private collection of Sir Alfred Beit. Nineteen works were stolen from this collection of master artists Gainsborough, Goya, Hals, Rubens, Valequez and Vermeer. Motivation to steal these works was to have ransom for the IRA cause. Fortunately, these masterpieces were recovered and subsequently, Dogdale was convicted.