Four pieces of artwork 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 sorrow upon learning about the theft. The stolen pieces include significant works by the Renaissance artist that were the only remaining pieces in his hometown, Messina. The theft occurred on a national holiday in Italy, with the museum director describing it as a devastating loss for the city and the art community.
The stolen artworks include two of Antonello da Messina’s renowned pieces, part of an altarpiece called “Polittico di San Gregorio.” These pieces were taken from a secure display case at the museum. Additionally, a small painting acquired by the Sicilian Region twenty years ago was also among the stolen items. Enzo Caruso, a local councillor overseeing culture, mentioned that the recent purchase of a Messina artwork by the Italian state for $15 million may have attracted the attention of the thieves.
The stolen artworks are distinctive and recognizable, making it challenging for the thieves to sell them through legitimate channels. Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson highlighted the difficulty of selling such well-known pieces illegally. She emphasized that stealing these artworks might be easier than selling them due to their high profile. The theft occurred shortly after Italian authorities recovered paintings by French masters that were stolen in a separate incident near Parma, Italy.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, trained in Naples and incorporated influences from Provençal and Flemish artists into his works. He returned to Messina in 1457 and continued working there until 1474. The recent theft has raised concerns about the security of valuable artworks in Italian museums.
