The theft of artworks is a phenomenon that combines elements of negligence, violence, and resentment among employees, far from the romantic image of the gentleman thief. Spain has become one of the countries most affected by this type of crime, with numerous incidents reported over the years. Meanwhile, the Louvre Museum in Paris was the scene of the most famous art theft in history in 1911, when the Mona Lisa was stolen and remained missing for two years.
In many of these robberies, criminals exploit security lapses, sometimes compounded by the discontent of the museums' or galleries' own staff. This context of insecurity and violence transforms art theft into a risky but lucrative business. Despite the efforts of the authorities to protect the world's cultural heritage, the lack of resources and corruption in some sectors complicate the recovery of the stolen pieces, leaving a gap in the world's cultural heritage that is difficult to fill.
Read the full news article on The World.
