Art is Not Gold, Stolen Pieces are Hard to Sell

Most artistic works, like paintings, are hard to steal and sell. First, most of them bear the artists’ names engraved in the art. Secondly, most famous art and paintings are always priceless and cannot fetch actual prices for the thieves who prefer selling them on the black market since most of these art pieces are well known and, therefore, their resale values are low. They can be identified through their distinct style, signature, or markings, making selling them on the open market challenging without attracting attention.

When a piece goes missing, the public is informed; as such, it takes much mastery to sell, a virtue most thieves do not possess. This also explains why the police have, in the recent past, been busting art thieves of famous paintings and sculptures. For instance, Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings “Congregation Leaving the reformed church in Nuenen” and the second titled “Beach at Scheveningen during a Storn,” which were stolen in Italy, were recovered in 2016.

The Mona Lisa, one of the most renowned art pieces in history, was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris on August 21, 1911. The theft created a scandal and sparked a two-year international search for the missing painting. With a mystery tale full of flips and turns that continue to enthrall art enthusiasts today, this incident has become one of history’s most famous art heists.

Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian immigrant who had helped with setting up the painting, was later identified as the person behind the theft. The painting was taken down from the wall and transported to a neighboring apartment by Peruggia, who had spent the previous night hiding in the museum and waiting until it was shut down. In order to sell the picture back to Italy, he kept it hidden there for two years waiting for the chaos to cease.

Nevertheless, Peruggia erred in 1913. He made touch with a Florence-based art dealer and made the painting available for purchase. Suspicious, the dealer called the police, who ultimately apprehended Peruggia and took the painting. The Mona Lisa was brought back to the Louvre Museum, which is still among the most well-liked sights there.

Stealing art and portraits is considered a severe crime and is punishable by law. In addition to being ethically wrong, stealing art can be challenging to get away with, as the assignment has alluded to. The art world is a tight-knit community, and stolen artwork is often reported to the authorities and circulated among art dealers and collectors. This can make it challenging for thieves to sell stolen artwork without getting caught.