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, which included significant works by the Renaissance painter that had been housed in his hometown. The incident occurred on a national holiday in Italy, with the museum director Marisa Mercurio describing the theft as devastating. Two of the stolen artworks were considered among Antonello da Messina’s most important and well-known pieces, leading to a significant loss for the museum and the art community.
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. The stolen pieces were part of an altarpiece called “Polittico di San Gregorio,” originally consisting of six panels, of which three were taken. Another artwork, a two-sided painting featuring the Virgin with Child and Christ, was also stolen from a secure display case.
The theft follows the recent recovery of paintings by other artists, including Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Henri Matisse, in Italy. Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson highlighted the challenges of selling such recognizable works, indicating that thieves may struggle to profit from their actions. The stolen artworks are likely to circulate within criminal networks, potentially being used as collateral for illicit activities.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, trained in Naples before returning to Messina, where he produced his notable works until 1474. The theft occurred shortly after Italian authorities successfully recovered the stolen paintings by French masters in a separate incident.