Unsellable Stolen Art

Stolen Renoir Paintings Prove Impossible to Sell Due to High Public Profile

Two Renoir paintings stolen from a French museum have yet to be recovered, making it difficult for art thieves to sell well-known, stolen art without raising suspicion. Unlike jewels, paintings can't be chopped up and sold for parts without losing their entire worth. Art crime experts argue that most buyers simply don't want the liability. High-profile stolen art, particularly high-profile works, are often overlooked due to their high profile status. The theft at the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer marks the latest high-level art crime targeting collections worldwide. However, the probability of profiting off such a heist is "extremely low," according to Erin Thompson, an art crime professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Many museums lack insurance due to high costs and it would be difficult to negotiate with insurance companies without the thieves incriminating themselves. If not surrendered or recovered, stolen paintings may remain hidden or eventually destroyed to eliminate evidence.

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