Italian police recover stolen Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse paintings worth millions

MILAN (AP) — Italian authorities have recovered three stolen paintings by renowned artists Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse, valued at millions of euros, after they were taken from a private museum near Parma earlier this year. The stolen works include "Fish" by Auguste Renoir, "Still Life with Cherries" by Paul Cézanne, and "Odalisque on the Terrace" by Henri Matisse.

Police discovered the paintings during searches ordered by prosecutors, though no further details were provided. The investigation is still ongoing. The heist occurred on March 22-23 at the Magnani Rocca Foundation, located about 12 miles from Parma, where thieves forced open the entrance and stole the paintings in less than three minutes.

Authorities believe a well-organized gang was responsible for the theft, which was interrupted by the alarm. The Magnani Rocca Foundation, established in 1977, houses the collection of art historian Luigi Magnani and features works by artists such as Dürer, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, and Monet. The theft comes following a series of high-profile thefts at major European museums, including the 88 million euro ($101 million) theft of French crown jewels and other items from the Louvre in Paris.