Thieves have stolen four works attributed to Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina, with an estimated worth of millions of euros. The theft occurred at the regional museum in Messina, Sicily, during Assumption holiday festivities. According to reports from cultural officials and Italian media, the heist took place on Saturday evening. The criminals bypassed alarm and security systems at the MuMe museum and took three out of the five surviving panels of the San Gregorio Polyptych, created in 1473. Additionally, they stole a double-sided panel depicting the Virgin Mary and the dead Christ in Pietà from its armored display case, as stated by the LaPresse news agency.
The thieves removed all five panels of the San Gregorio Polyptych from their frame but left two panels behind a wall while fleeing. Art expert Alberto Fiz valued the stolen artworks between 70 million euros ($81 million) and 80 million euros ($92 million). MuMe director Marisa Mercurio expressed devastation over the theft, highlighting the importance of the works to the museum, city, community, and art world. She stated that the alarms were operational, and guards were present at the time of the theft, which occurred shortly before 10 p.m.
“These works are integral to our regional identity and hold immense artistic and cultural value,” Mercurio told Sky TG24.
Enzo Caruso, Messina’s chief culture official, described the theft as more than a loss, calling it a disaster. He emphasized the importance of recovering the stolen works swiftly, noting that interest in Antonello da Messina has grown internationally. This surge followed the Italian Culture Ministry’s acquisition of his painting “Ecce Homo” for $14.9 million from Sotheby’s in New York earlier this year.
Lynda Albertson, an art-crime analyst and CEO of the ARCA art crimes research association, commented on the challenges of selling such recognizable works. She mentioned that these artworks often circulate among criminals as collateral in other illegal activities, making legitimate sales difficult.
The museum closed on Sunday as investigators collected evidence. Officials from both the museum and Carabinieri have yet to comment. The theft coincided with Messina’s Ferragosto celebrations, marking the feast of the Assumption of Mary with a procession and prayers at the Piazza Duomo.
Similarly, police in Parma recently recovered artworks by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse, valued at around 10 million euros ($11.5 million), stolen from the Magnani Rocca Foundation. Five individuals have been detained in connection with that March theft.
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