Four of the most important works by 15th-century Renaissance master Antonello da Messina were stolen from the Regional Museum of Messina in Sicily during Italy's national holiday, in what investigators suspect may have been a professional theft.
Key facts
- Four works by Antonello da Messina were stolen from the Regional Museum of Messina (MuMe).
- The theft occurred on Saturday evening during the Ferragosto national holiday on 15 August.
- No alarms were triggered, raising suspicion of a professional operation, according to the BBC.
- Thieves may have capitalised on attention focused on La Vara, a large religious festival in the city.
- The theft came the day after Italian police recovered paintings by Cezanne, Renoir and Matisse.
Four of the most important works of art by the 15th-century Renaissance master Antonello da Messina were stolen during a national holiday from a museum in the Sicilian port city of Messina, according to reporting by the Guardian, BBC, Sky News and CNBC.
Thieves gained access to the Regional Museum of Messina, known as MuMe, on Saturday evening. The Guardian reported that they possibly capitalised on attention being focused on La Vara, a huge religious festival that takes place in the city on 15 August, when Italy marks the Ferragosto national holiday. CNBC noted the town was busy celebrating Assumption Day at the time.
The BBC reported that the works were taken overnight without alarms being triggered, raising suspicion of a professional hit. The circumstances of the break-in have drawn attention to the security arrangements at the museum during the busy holiday period.
The Guardian described the theft as a wound to the historical memory and cultural identity of the city of Messina, underscoring the significance of the artist to his hometown. Antonello da Messina, who worked in the 15th century, is closely associated with the city that bears his name.
The theft came the day after Italian police recovered paintings by Cezanne, Renoir and Matisse, according to the Guardian, highlighting ongoing efforts by Italian authorities to combat art crime.
As of the reports, the works remained missing and details of a recovery operation had not been provided by the sources.
Why it matters
Antonello da Messina is one of the most celebrated Italian Renaissance painters, and the loss of four of his key works represents a significant blow to Sicily's cultural heritage. The apparent ease of the theft during a major holiday raises questions about museum security across Italy.
Frequently asked questions
What was stolen from the Regional Museum of Messina?
Four of the most important works of art by the 15th-century Renaissance master Antonello da Messina were stolen from the museum, known as MuMe.
When did the theft take place?
The theft occurred on Saturday evening during Italy's Ferragosto national holiday on 15 August, when the city was focused on the La Vara religious festival and Assumption Day celebrations.
Why do investigators suspect a professional theft?
According to the BBC, the works were taken overnight without alarms being triggered, raising suspicion of a professional hit.