Four pieces of art 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 resulted in the loss of significant works by the Renaissance painter that were the only ones remaining in his hometown. The theft occurred during a national holiday in Italy on Saturday night, leaving the museum director, Marisa Mercurio, devastated. She described the stolen pieces as crucial works by Antonello da Messina and emphasized the impact on the museum, the city, and the art community.
Local councillor Enzo Caruso likened the incident to a movie plot and suggested that the recent high-profile purchase of a Messina artwork by the Italian state may have drawn attention to the museum. Among the stolen items were three panels from an altarpiece known as the ‘Polittico di San Gregorio,’ which originally comprised six panels meant for a monastery destroyed in the 1908 earthquake. Additionally, a small two-sided painting depicting religious figures was taken from a secure display case.
The stolen artwork included pieces from the Wilhelm Soldan collection, pointing to their significance and recognition within the art world. The theft comes shortly after the recovery of paintings by French masters in another Italian incident. Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson highlighted the challenge of selling such recognizable works through legitimate channels, indicating the complexities involved in dealing with stolen art. She noted the potential for famous artworks to be used as collateral in illicit activities, reflecting the underground trade in stolen art.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, trained in Naples before returning to Messina, where he produced notable works until 1474. The theft follows the recent recovery of paintings by renowned French artists, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced in preserving and protecting valuable cultural heritage.