Art Theft Research Paper

Art Theft by Charlene Piccio Art theft has become an increasingly recognized crime in the world. It’s a hot object for robbers to steal, and makes tons of money in the black market. Government agencies attempt to stop these crimes, yet as the years go by, more and more art is lost that’s worth millions. Art now has to be protected in order to be preserved and not stolen. With the help of art crime teams, past cases, and why art has become a major source of criminal activity, we can discover how the art world has become what it is today. Throughout the world, people work together in order to stop art thefts, and prevent them from happening again. The United States Federal Bureau Investigation, or the FBI, enlists an Art Crime Team to deal

The FBI has also made the National Stolen Art File, an online database for art that was reported stolen, as well as cultural properties for agencies to be have handy for use. In Los Angeles, the Art Theft Team that works there created a specific crime unit called the Art Theft Detail. In this designated area, only fine art was looked into if it was the subject of a robbery. The two detectives who work on the case will “target suspects preying upon artists, art dealers, and collectors” (“About the Art Theft Detail”). The Los Angeles Art Theft Team also provides a section on their website where you can determine whether a piece of art is fake, or authentic. Interpol also has their hand in dealing with the art theft world. Since acknowledging the importance of their role in inquiring about shady trade deals, they encourage other professions in the similar field, like the dealers

Robbers who know little about the artwork that they have stolen can potentially ruin it with the wear-and-tear that goes through transportation and trading. With the art being worn down, it will eventually deteriorate and not be the same as it was secured in a museum. On the other hand, robbers who study and watch the art business, as well as the crimes committed, know how to handle art carefully. When stolen, thieves will wait until the robbery has been announced in the newspaper, so they can see the work’s value. Once seen, then they’ll be able to calculate how much they will earn in profits, or how much it would go for on the black market (“Art Theft Ranked as Fourth-Largest Criminal Enterprise”). Art is so valued today because it reminds us of a simpler time, of where the artist could express themselves freely. When looking at the art, it evokes emotions that we may have not known before, and to own and cherish it in your own time can be an amazing experience. Art reveals a lot of what we don’t know about