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Why are works by famous artists stolen even though stolen art is difficult to sell?

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kouros — Art fraud Kouros of uncertain provenance, formerly on display with the label “about 530 bc or modern forgery,” dolomitic marble; in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California.

Works by famous artists are often stolen despite the extreme difficulty of selling them on the legitimate art market because the perpetrators may have different, often misguided, motivations.1

One primary reason is that many thieves lack the specialized knowledge required to negotiate the sale of high-profile art, or they may be seeking quick cash without understanding the complexities of the trade. Furthermore, thieves may hold onto stolen works in the hope that they can eventually sell them once the notoriety of the theft has faded.1

In other cases, stolen art may end up in the private collections of individuals known as "gloaters," who are willing to risk owning stolen masterpieces for their own personal enjoyment. Sometimes, thieves may attempt to use the art as leverage for ransom, though authorities often refuse to negotiate. Finally, when thieves realize that the stolen items are impossible to sell and fear the consequences of being caught, they may simply destroy the works. Ultimately, art theft is a criminal activity that causes significant damage, and it is ethically imperative to support the vigilance of dealers and collectors in using theft registers to prevent the circulation of illicit goods.12