Claude Monet's 'Poppies Near Vetheuil' Masterpiece Snatched from Buehrle Foundation Museum

Theft within the world of fine art is almost inevitable. Although the logistics and hazards involved in stealing a framed work are numerous, paintings are still frequently stolen. Most recently, was a piece by the French Impressionist painter, Claude Monet. Monet's painting 'Poppies Near Vetheuil' was taken Sunday, February 10 from Emil Beuhrle's collection at the Beuhrle Foundation Museum in Zurich Switzerland.

As a student I visit many art galleries and museums. There is a very clear code of ethics to observe when viewing art on display. One must stand several feet away from a piece, If you wish to point out a feature in the work, you must not point with a pen; the fumes can harm the paint (guess how I found this out?!) Visitors may sit at provided benches and sketch the works of art but they may not get too close. One almost reverences the work.

As an art enthusiast myself, I find stolen works of art, national and international treasures, a particularly heinous crime. What makes a work of art worth stealing? What is it about particular works that attract the purveyor of stolen goods? I've asked museum docents over the years and read up on art theft and these are some conclusions.

Who is the thief?

It is as much about the thief as it is the theft. Works of art are stolen for different reasons:

International art thieves often work on 'commission' for dealers.

Other thieves wish to sell it direct or to a fence, obviously on a black market, as it's hard to dispose of well known items.

Some art collectors simply have intense desire to own works of art for private pleasure and will get them by any means. Nazi art lovers, like Herman Goering confiscated many works of art,some of which have only recently been discovered.

Some fanatics have stolen works to destroy them.

What is stolen?

Edvard Munsch's 'Scream' was done in several versions. This work has almost a cult following and has been stolen by 'fans' several times.

The Spanish Cubist Pablo Picasso's work has been stolen frequently. Picasso was a favorite of Nazi art collectors.

How was it stolen?