Four pieces of artwork by Antonello da Messina, a painter from the 15th century, were stolen from the Museo Regionale di Messina, as announced by Italy’s culture minister on Sunday. Alessandro Giuli expressed shock and sadness upon learning about the theft. The stolen artworks include significant pieces by the Renaissance painter that were the only remaining works in his hometown and a painting acquired by the Sicilian Region twenty years ago.
The theft occurred on Saturday night, coinciding with a national holiday in Italy, according to reports. The museum director, Marisa Mercurio, described the incident as devastating, stating that the theft took place just before 10 p.m. She emphasized that the stolen artworks were among Antonello da Messina’s most important and well-known pieces, highlighting the significant loss for the museum, the city, the community, and the art world.
Enzo Caruso, a local councilor overseeing culture, likened the situation to a movie scene and suggested that the recent purchase of a Messina artwork by the Italian state for $15 million earlier this year may have attracted the attention of the thieves. The stolen artworks included three panels from an altarpiece called “Polittico di San Gregorio,” originally consisting of six panels and never leaving Messina, as well as a small two-sided painting depicting the Virgin with Child and Christ.
In a separate incident, three paintings by French masters that were stolen from a museum near Parma in March were recovered by Italian police on Friday. The theft of these valuable artworks by Antonello da Messina has raised concerns about their potential resale due to their recognizable nature, according to art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson. Albertson warned that selling stolen masterpieces like those of Antonello da Messina would not be easy and could lead to complications for the thieves involved.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, received training in Naples and was influenced by Provençal and Flemish artists. He returned to Messina in 1457 and continued his work until 1474. The stolen artworks represent a significant loss for the cultural heritage of Italy and the global art community.