According to The Guardian and AP, four Antonello da Messina works were stolen in Messina.
Why it matters: The theft hits one of Italy's best-known Renaissance artists and a key Sicilian museum. It also follows a separate police recovery of stolen Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse paintings near Parma.
- Thieves reportedly targeted the Museo Regionale Accascina (MuMe) in Messina, Sicily, during Ferragosto.
- The works taken included three of the five surviving panels from the Polittico di San Gregorio.
- A smaller double-sided painting showing the Virgin and Child with a Franciscan monk on one side and Christ on the other was also stolen.
- The theft came one day after police recovered three stolen paintings by Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse near Parma.
Four works linked to Antonello da Messina were stolen from the Museo Regionale Accascina (MuMe) in Messina, Sicily, during the Ferragosto holiday period, according to reporting by The Guardian and AP.
AP said the theft was first reported by LaPresse, while The Guardian reported that thieves bypassed alarms and broke into a secure display case at the museum. The stolen works included three of the five surviving panels from the Polittico di San Gregorio, along with a smaller double-sided painting showing the Virgin and Child with a Franciscan monk on one side and Christ on the other.
The reported theft affects one of Sicily's most prominent Renaissance painters. Italian reporting cited by the outlets said only about 40 works by Antonello da Messina are thought to survive. The Guardian also reported that the altarpiece had never left Messina.
The break-in came a day after Italian police recovered three stolen paintings by Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse near Parma, a separate case that AP said ended with the artworks back in police hands.
By the numbers
- 4 - Antonello da Messina works reportedly stolen from the Messina museum.
- 5 - Surviving panels in the Polittico di San Gregorio, of which 3 were taken.
- 40 - Approximate number of Antonello works Italian reporting says may survive.
Yes, but: The theft details are being reported by outlets, not confirmed in the draft by museum or police statements.