Priceless Antonello da Messina works stolen from Sicilian museum

Four works by early Renaissance Italian painter Antonello da Messina have been stolen from the Regional Museum (MuMe) on the island of Sicily in southern Italy, Rai News reports.

The theft took place during the night of August 15. Three of the five panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych were stolen, while two panels were left behind as the thieves fled.

A double-sided panel depicting the Madonna and Christ’s Pietà, which had been kept in a reinforced case, was also stolen.

Prosecutors have launched an investigation. Investigators confirmed that the museum is equipped with several surveillance cameras and a modern alarm system protecting the artworks. The building is also constantly monitored by a night guard. Investigators are currently considering several theories, including the possibility that the artworks were stolen to be sold on the black market.

Enzo Caruso, Messina City Councilor for Culture, said that the two most important works housed in the museum, particularly significant to the city of Antonello, had been stolen, describing the incident as a tragedy. He stressed that the works were priceless, noting that one small painting alone was valued at €15 million and highlighting the enormous value of the San Gregorio Polyptych.

In his view, the crime was professionally planned.

By Jeyhun Aghazada