Valuable Antonello da Messina Artworks Stolen in Sicily Heist

Thieves have taken four valuable artworks by Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina from the regional museum in Messina, Sicily. This theft occurred on Saturday evening during the city’s traditional Assumption holiday celebrations, officials and media reported.

The criminals bypassed the museum’s alarm and security systems to steal three panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych, dated 1473. They also stole a double-sided panel depicting the Virgin Mary and Pietà, which the thieves removed from an armored display. LaPresse, a news agency, stated that the thieves initially took all five panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych but abandoned two as they fled.

Art expert Alberto Fiz estimated the stolen works’ value at 70 to 80 million euros, equivalent to approximately 81 to 92 million dollars. MuMe museum director Marisa Mercurio expressed devastation over the theft. She emphasized the artworks’ importance to the museum and community, highlighting their cultural and artistic value.

Messina’s cultural leader, Enzo Caruso, described the theft as more than a loss, characterizing it as a disaster. He stressed the need for a prompt recovery of the stolen pieces, noting the heightened international interest in Antonello da Messina’s works. This interest had increased after Italy’s Culture Ministry acquired his painting “Ecce Homo” for 14.9 million dollars earlier this year.

Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson noted the challenges thieves face in selling such famous artwork. She explained that these stolen pieces often change hands in criminal circles, serving other illicit purposes. The museum remained closed on Sunday as investigators collected evidence, and neither museum representatives nor the Carabinieri were available for comment.

This theft coincided with the Ferragosto holiday, marking the feast of the Assumption of Mary. The city celebrated with a procession and prayers in the main Piazza Duomo during the heist. The crime also followed news from Parma in northern Italy, where police recently recovered stolen Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse artworks valued at about 10 million euros. The Parma theft led to the arrest of five individuals.