Art Theft in Messina
MILAN – According to La Presse, four artworks linked to the renowned Sicilian Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina were stolen from a regional museum in Messina during Italy’s Ferragosto holiday.
On Saturday evening, thieves managed to bypass the alarm and security systems at the MuMe Regional Museum, making off with three of the five remaining panels from the 1473 Polyptych of San Gregorio. Additionally, they took a double-sided panel showcasing the Virgin Mary and the dead Christ from the Pietà, which had been secured in an armored display case, La Presse reported.
MuMe director Marisa Mercurio expressed her shock, stating, “We are deeply affected by this incident. These were among Antonello da Messina’s most significant works, representing a tremendous loss for the museum, city, community, and the art world.” The theft occurred just before 10 p.m.
In March, the Italian government acquired Da Messina’s notable painting Ecce Homo from Sotheby’s in New York for $14.9 million, further elevating the artist’s profile.
Art crime analyst Linda Albertson shared that the notoriety of these artworks makes it challenging for thieves to sell them through legitimate means. “It might be easier to steal Antonello than to sell it. Any typical thief would be caught fairly quickly, there’s too much risk involved,” remarked Albertson, who leads the ARCA art crime research association. She noted that high-profile pieces often change hands among criminals, used as collateral in other illicit dealings.
On Sunday, the museum remained closed as investigators gathered evidence. Museum officials and the Carabinieri were not immediately available for comment.
The Ferragosto holiday, which commemorates the Assumption of Mary, is a peak time for summer vacations in Italy.
This incident follows news from the northern Italian city of Parma, where police announced the retrieval of three stolen artworks valued at approximately 10 million euros (around $11.5 million) by artists Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse. Five individuals have been arrested in connection to the theft from the Magnani Rocca Foundation, which occurred between March 22nd and 23rd.
