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Renaissance paintings by Antonello da Messina stolen from Sicilian museum
Theft of four works on national holiday described as wound to historical memory and cultural identity of city of Messina
TL;DR
- Four artworks by Antonello da Messina were stolen from the Regional Museum of Messina.
- The theft occurred during the Ferragosto national holiday, possibly masked by the La Vara festival.
- Three panels from the Polittico di San Gregorio altarpiece and a small double-sided painting were taken.
- Two stolen panels were inexplicably abandoned outside the museum.
- Museum director Marisa Mercurio described the loss as extremely serious and significant.
- Art historian Valentina Certo highlighted Antonello's role in bringing Flemish oil-painting techniques to Italy.
- Prosecutors have opened an investigation, considering theft for the illicit art market or on commission.
- The theft follows the recent recovery of paintings by Cézanne, Renoir, and Matisse in Italy.