Sunday, August 22, 2010

Van Gone

What is the point of stealing highly recognisable masterpieces, like this Van Gogh that has gone missing in Cairo?

Presumably they can't be sold on the open market. The new 'owners' can't show the paintings off because they could get caught so presumably they just hang them in a private room and look at them on their own which seems utterly joyless.

4 comments:

Mark Wadsworth said...

Traditionally, you wait a couple of years and then do a deal with the insurance company. So it's more akin to kidnapping than straight theft.

Anonymous said...

Alternately you can sell quality fakes to eager buyers as they know you or someone has the real thing.

Ross said...

Mark- Never knew that.

Asif N said...

Presumably there are plenty of people in the black market who would pay millions just to want to look at it. I don't think people who collect art for the joy or love of it are fond of exhibiting it - those are the business people and the show offs.