Four pieces of art by Antonello da Messina, a painter from the 15th century, were stolen from the Museo Regionale di Messina, as confirmed by Italy’s Minister of Culture on Sunday. The theft, which occurred on Saturday night during a national holiday, has deeply saddened Alessandro Giuli, who expressed shock and sorrow upon learning of the incident. This theft represents a significant loss for Messina, as it includes parts of the only existing works by the Renaissance artist that remained in his hometown and a painting acquired by the Sicilian Region twenty years ago.
The stolen artworks consist of two of Antonello da Messina’s most prominent and recognizable pieces. The museum director, Marisa Mercurio, described the event as devastating, noting that the theft occurred just before 10 p.m. The stolen pieces include a painting depicting the Virgin with Child and a Franciscan monk on one side and Christ on the other, which was taken from a secure display case at the Museo Regionale Accascina in Messina.
Enzo Caruso, a local councilor in charge of culture, likened the situation to a movie scene and suggested that the recent purchase of a Messina artwork by the Italian state for $15 million US may have attracted the attention of the thieves. The stolen artworks are part of an altarpiece known as “Polittico di San Gregorio,” with three out of five remaining panels taken. Originally composed of six panels, this altarpiece was the only work by the Sicilian artist that had never left his birthplace.
The stolen art piece, a two-sided painting featuring the Virgin with Child and a Franciscan monk on one side and Christ on the other, was part of the Wilhelm Soldan collection and was acquired by the Sicilian Region in 2003. The recent theft follows the recovery of paintings by other artists earlier in the year, signaling a concerning trend in art thefts.
Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson highlighted the challenges the thieves may face in selling the stolen artworks due to their distinctiveness, making it difficult to pass them off through legitimate channels. The stolen artworks, with their historical significance and recognition, may circulate within criminal networks as collateral for illicit activities.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, received his training in Naples and his works reflect influences from Provençal and Flemish artists. He returned to Messina in 1457, where he continued to work until 1474. The theft of the artworks occurred shortly after Italian police successfully recovered paintings by French masters Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Henri Matisse that were stolen from a museum near the northern city of Parma in March.
