tech
Messina mystery: theft of Renaissance art from Sicilian museum leaves investigators baffled
How did thieves pull off robbery of Antonello da Messina’s 15th-century masterpiece – and why did they leave part of it behind?
TL;DR
- Five panels of Antonello da Messina's polyptych were stolen from the regional museum in Messina on August 15th, during a major religious festival.
- The thieves exploited the city's distraction, with authorities noting the unusual quiet on the museum's outskirts.
- Investigators are baffled by the speed of the heist, the bypassing of security systems, and the inexplicable abandonment of two stolen panels outside the museum.
- The possibility of inside help is being investigated, with one museum employee reportedly under scrutiny.
- While mafia involvement is a consideration, experts doubt its likelihood given the artwork's fame.
- The stolen polyptych is considered a significant cultural symbol for Messina, having survived historical catastrophes.