Four Renaissance paintings stolen from museum in Italy
Local officials have expressed their dismay and sadness at the theft which occurred during celebrations of the Virgin Mary.
In Sicily, Italy, a museum in Messina experienced a theft of four Renaissance paintings of significant value on Saturday night. The stolen items included three panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych and a double-sided panel depicting The Madonna and Child, both attributed to Antonello da Messina and dating back to the 15th century.
The Italian Ministry of Culture confirmed the theft. The polyptych, originally consisting of at least five sections, had suffered damage following an earthquake in 1908. The Madonna and Child painting had been auctioned for over $300,000 by Christie's in 2003. Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli expressed dismay and regret over the theft, emphasizing the extraordinary value of these artworks for Italy's cultural heritage.
Messina's mayor described the theft as a heinous criminal act and was deeply outraged, particularly due to its occurrence during the city's traditional celebrations for the Virgin Mary. Federico Basile, a local, posted on social media expressing hope for the artifacts' return and the identification of those responsible, stating that Messina would not allow its history to be stolen.
The theft occurred just months after the Italian state acquired Antonello da Messina's "Ecce Homo" for nearly $15 million at a New York auction.
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