As opposed to being famous because it is a revolution in style or the material is historic or because it’s inherently interesting or moving.
And no, it’s not because it was stolen. Most people don’t even know it was stolen. I loved the painting and it moved me from the moment I saw it as a child.
The most popular book in the world is the Bible and I never found it very interesting
Therefore, you fall in line with the dominant human viewpoint, the popular opinion.
I don't know what my point is, apart from a friendly irony that in eschewing (the) popularity (of the Bible), you're actually doing the popular thing.
I just don’t think popularity means much outside of a lot of people knowing about it in some vaguely positive light. Sometimes things are popular because they are incredible (the Beatles), sometimes they are popular just because of randomness or situational context (most pre-20th century American literature)