In the city of Messina, Sicily, thieves made off with four artworks by Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina, valued in the millions of euros. The theft happened at the MuMe museum during the Assumption holiday festivities, as reported by cultural officials and Italian media.
On Saturday evening, the thieves bypassed the museum’s alarm and security systems. They stole three out of the five panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych, dated to 1473, along with the double-sided panel showing the Virgin Mary and the dead Christ in Pietà. This latter piece was removed from an armored display case, as reported by LaPresse news agency.
While they took all five panels of the San Gregorio Polyptych from their frame, they abandoned two behind a wall during their escape.
Art expert Alberto Fiz estimated the stolen works’ value at 70 to 80 million euros ($81 to $92 million).
MuMe museum director Marisa Mercurio expressed devastation at the loss, calling the artworks central to the region’s heritage. The theft took place just before 10 p.m., despite the working alarms and guards on site. Mercurio emphasized the importance of these works to Messina and its identity.
Enzo Caruso, the top cultural official in Messina, described the theft as a disaster, stating that the city without Antonello lacks the essence of a key European Renaissance artist. Caruso urged for the quick recovery of the stolen pieces. Interest in Antonello had grown after Italy’s Culture Ministry acquired his painting “Ecce Homo” for $14.9 million.
Lynda Albertson, an art-crime analyst, pointed out that the artworks are easily recognizable, making their sale through reputable channels difficult. She noted that these famous pieces might be used as collateral in criminal activities.
The museum remained closed on Sunday while investigators gathered evidence. Efforts continue to reach museum officials and the Carabinieri for further comments.
This theft coincided with the Ferragosto holiday when Messina celebrated the feast of the Assumption of Mary with a procession in the main Piazza Duomo. It followed the recent recovery of stolen Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse artworks by police in Parma, worth about 10 million euros ($11.5 million).