Four pieces of art created by the 15th-century artist Antonello da Messina were stolen from the Museo Regionale di Messina, as confirmed by Italy’s culture minister on Sunday. Alessandro Giuli expressed shock and sadness upon learning of 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 a national holiday in Italy, with the museum director, Marisa Mercurio, describing the incident as devastating. The stolen artworks are considered crucial and well-known pieces by Antonello da Messina, representing a significant loss for the museum, the city, and the art community.
Enzo Caruso, a local councillor overseeing culture, likened the theft to a movie scene and speculated that the recent purchase of a Messina artwork by the Italian state for $15 million might have attracted the attention of the thieves. Three panels from an altarpiece known as “Polittico di San Gregorio” were among the stolen pieces, originally consisting of six panels and never having left Messina before.
The theft follows the recent recovery of paintings by other artists. An art-crime analyst, Lynda Albertson, noted that the stolen Antonello da Messina artworks are easily recognizable, making it challenging to sell them through legitimate channels. She highlighted the complexities involved in selling such renowned artworks, suggesting that they could be used as collateral in illicit activities.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, trained in Naples before returning to Messina, where he created his works until 1474. The theft occurred shortly after Italian authorities recovered paintings by French masters that were stolen from a museum near Parma earlier this year.