Four Antonello da Messina paintings stolen from Sicilian museum

Thieves stole four Renaissance paintings by Antonello da Messina from the Regional Museum of Messina (MuMe) in Sicily on Saturday night, bypassing alarm and security systems during the Ferragosto holiday. The stolen works include three of the five surviving panels of the 1473 "San Gregorio Polyptych" and a smaller double-sided panel depicting the Virgin and Child and Christ in Pietà, which was removed from an armored display case. Source: BBC Source: AP News

The heist

The theft occurred around 10 p.m. local time as the city celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. MuMe Director Marisa Mercurio called it "a tremendous loss for the museum, the city, the community and the art world." Source: DW The museum remained closed Sunday as investigators gathered evidence. Source: AP News

Value and context

Initial estimates of the financial loss range from €70–€80 million ($81–$92 million), though the sum has not been made public. Source: DW The theft comes just days after Italian police recovered three paintings by Cézanne, Renoir, and Matisse stolen from the Magnani Rocca Foundation near Parma in March, worth about $10 million. Source: The Guardian It also follows Italy's March purchase of another Antonello work, "Ecce Homo," for $14.9 million. Source: CNN

Investigation and outlook

Investigators suspect the paintings were stolen to order by black market art thieves. Source: BBC Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson noted that the works are instantly recognizable, making them difficult to sell through reputable channels. "Stealing an Antonello may be far easier than selling one," she said. Source: AP News The investigation is ongoing.