Four pieces of art by the 15th-century artist Antonello da Messina 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 about the theft. The stolen artworks included parts of the only surviving collection by the Renaissance painter in his hometown and a small painting acquired by the Sicilian Region twenty years ago. The theft occurred on Saturday night during a national holiday in Italy, according to reports.
Marisa Mercurio, the museum director, described the incident as devastating, noting that the theft occurred just before 10 p.m. She emphasized the significance of the stolen works, labeling them as two of Antonello da Messina’s most important and well-known pieces. Enzo Caruso, a local councilor overseeing culture, mentioned that the recent purchase of a Messina artwork by the Italian state for $15 million earlier this year may have drawn the attention of the thieves to the museum.
The stolen items included three panels from an altarpiece known as “Polittico di San Gregorio,” with only five panels remaining after the theft. Originally consisting of six panels, this altarpiece was intended for a local monastery that was destroyed in the 1908 Messina earthquake. Additionally, a two-sided painting depicting the Virgin with Child and Christ was taken from a secure display case.
The incident follows the recovery of paintings by other artists earlier this year. The stolen works are highly recognizable, making it challenging to sell them through legitimate channels. Lynda Albertson, an art-crime analyst, warned that stealing such renowned artworks may be easier than selling them due to their distinctive nature. These stolen pieces could potentially circulate among criminals as collateral for illicit activities.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, trained in Naples and was influenced by Provençal and Flemish artists before returning to Messina in 1457, where he worked until 1474. The theft occurred shortly after Italian authorities recovered three paintings by French masters that were stolen from a museum near Parma in March.