Historical Moments in 'ART' larceny

Clearly my art is good enough to steal!

Just ask the thief who stole two mandala pieces out of my very first art show in Baltimore back in 1996. I filed a police report. The pieces were never recovered.

Or ask the 'ART'ful Dodger, who has stolen "And They Danced..."

The 'ART'ful Dodger didn't like the piece after it arrived, and so I refunded her payment, and now she refuses to return the painting. The 'ART'ful Dodger even refuses to return phone calls. And she refuses to return e-mails.

I even posted something on her wall on Facebook:

"Currently you have both the painting and the refund. Send one or the other back."

The 'ART'ful Dodger took the posting down, but refuses to return my many requests for her to RETURN MY ART!

I began doing research on 'ART' theft. Stolen art is a multi-billion dollar a year industry.

Most stolen art is never recovered.

Back in May 2010, five masterpieces were stolen from the Paris Museum of Modern Art. The five paintings that were stolen:

1. Dove with Green Peas by Pablo Picasso (painted in 1911)

2. Pastoral by Henri Matisse (1906)

3. Olive Tree near l'Estaque by Georges Braque (1906)

4. Woman with Fan by Amedeo Modigliani (1919)

5. Still Life with Candlestick by Fernand Leger (1922).

To the best of my knowledge, none of these pieces has yet to be recovered.

And, 99 years ago on this very day, August 21st, the most famous art heist of the 20th century occurred. The Mona Lisa was stolen out of the Louvre by a janitor named Vincenzo Perugia. He was caught two years later.

Curious about what other master artists have had their work stolen? While clearly not comprehensive, here's an impressive list:

Van Gogh: The Fortification of Paris

Gaugin: Tahitian Lanscape

Vermeer: The Concert

Rembrandt: A Lady and Gentleman in Black

Manet: Chez Tortoni

Degas: Three Mounted Jockeys

Klee: Portrait in the Garden

Moore: Reclining Figure

Whether I get my painting back or not, clearly I am in good company!