Why would someone still a masterpeice from a museum? After all, as soon as it has been stolen and reported, it would be almost impossible to sell on the open market.
"So why don't thieves stick to jewelry heists or bank robberies? The most popular explanation is that they are commissioned by shadowy underworld figures to obtain art for their private delectation...But this idea of the evil genius as art connoisseur is 'a myth,' according to Ms. Flescher. Nobody has ever arrested a drug dealer or mafia kingpin and found his hideaway lined with A-list masterpieces from the world's museums...Perhaps art thievery persists for reasons that have less to do with personal prestige or monetary gain than with a vague sense of cultural longing."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120304717203570929.html?mod=todays_us_weekend_journal
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Van Gogh (and Monet) referred in the article have been recovered: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7252142.stm
I am sure there are some underground market for those who are obsessed with a notion of acquiring masterpieces for their own pleasure only (as opposed to exhibitionistic purposes).
This reminded me of a movie "Thomas Crown Affair"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thomas_Crown_Affair_(1999_film)
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