Art Heists Are A Real Problem, Here’s Why
Should we really be concerned about the theft of jewels, paintings, and artworks?
Lately, there’s been an onslaught of stolen art making the headlines. The Rembrandt rumble, German art disappearing in China, €20,000 of stolen art selling through Sotheby’s.
Why do we care when artworks are stolen?
There’s a sense of mystery that stokes our imaginations into the realm of fiction. Glamor and exclusivity — is it the media hype that makes these thefts so interesting to the public? Or perhaps they’re heavily covered by journalists because it so interests us?
Undoubtedly, the art world continues to be filled with mystique and intrigue. Occurrences attract more attention than say the business or politics sections, even during these trying times. But what is it about art that spikes such notoriety? Is it the money involved?
Frankly, that’s part of it, but mainly it’s that art touches on so much around and about us. From business to politics to questions of identity and who we are art “belongs” to us all.
While there have been thrillers and novels (like The Goldfinch) that play in the art world’s foggy and obscure depths, the mysterious nature of the inner workings is only the tip of the iceberg.
Art is personal and with so many treasures considered Cultural Heritage, we might feel like outsiders but at the same time owners. A Rembrandt, after all, doesn’t truly belong to one person (no matter what collectors say!). Seriously though, when it comes to the masterpieces that thieves target half the time they’re owned by public institutions, are generally very valuable and 100% of the time they make up part of the cultures we belong to (therefore kind of ours too).
It’s well known that art and jewels are used to transfer value in less than savory dealings. From Saudi Arabian arms to diplomat’s misdeeds art (and especially stolen art) gets used to fund some bad acts.
That’s also part of the appeal. What mystery doesn’t have its villains? Art heists trigger the attention and imagination of millions of people around the world because of all of these things. The stories around them, and the eternal question why is this art worth so much?
How does an aged canvas covered in pigment have so much power? Unfortunately, it’s not because the world has woken up to how much art influences life nor is there a Renaissance of thought and appreciation occurring (if I’m missing it please someone let me know — I’d like an invite to the party). In truth, it’s because of economic principles…riveting, I know.
Really though that’s why art that’s at the center of notorious heists carries such a big price tag. Scarcity and demand rule the game, so it means that if you can somehow get a Rembrandt into the underworld of art trafficking you can get quite a lot of dough. How banal.
Back to the question of why we care though it is probably an intense mixture of fluctuating reasons. A spectrum if you will.
We care because we should. Because this art represents a part of our collective history and identity. Because we don’t want art that’s meant to speak out loud just a bit of our souls to be used for violent and destructive ends. Because art is meant to be seen, and shared, and permitted to do its thing not be hidden in a basement or bank vault or wherever the art underworld tucks away masterpieces.
Something ridiculous like only 5–10% of all stolen art is ever recovered. While there’s another estimate of that more than 50,000 pieces of art are stolen each year around the world.
The black market for stolen art is valued between $6–8 billion annually. How do we solve this?
First, if you’re an oligarch looking to purchase stolen art — don’t. I realize that’s less than 1%, but on that same note if you’re in need of money (aren’t we all) don’t steal art, please.
Finally, in the vein of art critic Jerry Saltz let’s get the art world to a place that’s intimate rather than corporate, make sure artists get paid but also take the money out of art because then we have nothing to lose.
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