Thieves bypass security to steal four Renaissance artworks from Sicily museum

Thieves stole four Renaissance artworks from the Museo Regionale in Messina, Sicily, on August 15. The stolen works include three panels of the San Gregorio Polyptych, dated to 1473, and a double-sided panel depicting the Virgin Mary and the dead Christ in Pietà. All five panels of the polyptych were removed from their frame, but two were abandoned behind a wall.

The San Gregorio Polyptych is one of only five surviving panels of the work, and its theft deprives the city of part of the only surviving works by Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina still held in his hometown. According to Le Monde English and PBS NewsHour, an art expert estimated the value of the stolen works at 70 million euros to 80 million euros.

The Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the theft, which occurred during traditional city celebrations in honour of the Virgin Mary. Messina mayor Federico Basile called the theft "deeply reprehensible", saying it was "even more painful" as it took place during the celebrations.

Brief written by urgent.news from Euronews, PBS NewsHour, Le Monde English, France 24, New Straits Times — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.