The rhymes, rhythms, and melodies of poetry connect us to something deep within ourselves and allow us to express it
"La Coiffeuse" was reported stolen in 2001 when staff at the Pompidou Centre responded to a loan request and noticed it was missing its archives.
Following a lead, customs agents found the $15 million oil painting in a FedEx shipment from Belgium to Newark, New Jersey.
The shipping label described the contents as a handicraft worth 30 euros ($37).
The president of the museum said the painting will be displayed after three months of restoration at a secret Paris location.