Four pieces of art by the famous 15th-century artist Antonello da Messina were stolen from the Museo Regionale di Messina, as confirmed by Italy’s culture minister on Sunday. The theft occurred during a national holiday in Italy, leading to the loss of significant artworks from the Renaissance painter. The stolen pieces include parts of the only surviving work by Antonello da Messina in his hometown and a small painting acquired by the Sicilian Region twenty years ago.
Expressing shock and sadness, Alessandro Giuli, the culture minister, lamented the incident and its impact on the city of Messina and the art community. The museum director, Marisa Mercurio, described the theft of two of Antonello da Messina’s most important works as a devastating loss.
Local councillor Enzo Caruso suggested that the recent purchase of a Messina artwork by the Italian state may have attracted the attention of the thieves. Three panels from an altarpiece known as Polittico di San Gregorio were among the stolen artworks. This altarpiece, originally consisting of six panels, was the only piece by the Sicilian painter to have never left his hometown.
The stolen artworks include a small two-sided painting depicting the Virgin with Child and a Franciscan monk on one side and Christ on the other. The theft follows the recent recovery of paintings by other artists, including Cézanne, Renoir, and Matisse, stolen from a museum near Parma in March.
Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson emphasized the challenge of selling such recognizable works, suggesting that the thieves may face difficulties in profiting from the stolen art. She highlighted the potential for famous artworks to be used as collateral for illicit activities within criminal networks.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, trained in Naples before returning to Messina, where he created his renowned works influenced by Provençal and Flemish artists. The recent theft of his artworks has shocked the art world and raised concerns about the security of valuable cultural heritage.