Four pieces of art by Antonello da Messina, a 15th-century painter, were stolen from the Museo Regionale di Messina, as confirmed by Italy’s culture minister on Sunday. Alessandro Giuli expressed shock and sadness upon learning of the theft. The stolen artworks include significant pieces by the Renaissance artist that were part of the museum’s collection. The theft occurred on a national holiday in Italy, underlining the audacity of the criminals.
Marisa Mercurio, the museum director, described the incident as devastating, occurring just before 10 p.m. on Saturday. The stolen artworks included two of Antonello da Messina’s most renowned works, representing a substantial loss for the museum, the city, and the art community.
Enzo Caruso, a local councilor overseeing culture, remarked that the recent high-profile acquisition of a Messina artwork by the Italian state might have drawn the attention of the thieves. Three panels from an altarpiece known as ‘Polittico di San Gregorio’ were among the stolen items, with the altarpiece being the only work by the Sicilian artist never to have left his hometown.
The fourth stolen artwork was a small painting displaying the Virgin with Child and a Franciscan monk on one side, and Christ on the other. This piece was taken from a secure display case at the museum. The theft follows recent recoveries of other artists’ paintings, indicating a concerning trend in art crime.
Art analyst Lynda Albertson highlighted the challenges of selling stolen recognizable artworks, such as those by Antonello da Messina, through legitimate channels. She warned that the thieves may find it difficult to profit from their actions. The stolen pieces, with their historical significance, could potentially be used as collateral in illicit activities.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, trained in Naples and returned to Messina, where he produced his notable works. The theft occurred shortly after Italian authorities recovered stolen paintings by French masters Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Henri Matisse from a museum near Parma.
