Four pieces of art by the 15th-century artist Antonello da Messina were reported stolen from the Museo Regionale di Messina, as announced by Italy’s culture minister on Sunday. Alessandro Giuli expressed shock and sadness upon learning about the theft. The stolen artworks include significant pieces by the Renaissance painter that were part of the only collection remaining in his hometown, as well as a small painting acquired by the Sicilian Region twenty years ago.
The theft occurred on a national holiday in Italy, reportedly taking place on Saturday night. Marisa Mercurio, the museum director, described the incident as devastating, noting that the stolen pieces were among Antonello da Messina’s most important and well-known works. Enzo Caruso, a local councilor responsible for culture, suggested that the recent purchase of a Messina artwork by the Italian state for $15 million may have attracted the attention of the thieves.
Three panels from an altarpiece called “Polittico di San Gregorio” were among the stolen items. Originally consisting of six panels, this altarpiece was intended for a local monastery that was destroyed in Messina’s 1908 earthquake. One of the stolen artworks was a small two-sided painting depicting the Virgin with Child and a Franciscan monk on one side, and Christ on the other.
The recent theft follows the successful recovery of paintings by other artists earlier this year. Lynda Albertson, an art-crime analyst, noted that the stolen works are easily recognizable, making them difficult to sell through legitimate channels. She warned that the thieves may find it challenging to profit from the stolen artworks due to their high profile. Albertson explained that such valuable artworks often circulate among criminals, serving as collateral for illicit activities.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, received training in Naples and was influenced by Provençal and Flemish artists. He returned to Messina in 1457, where he continued his artistic endeavors until 1474. The theft occurred shortly after Italian police recovered stolen paintings by French masters, including Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Henri Matisse, from a museum near the northern city of Parma in March.