Four valuable Renaissance-era artworks, with an estimated combined value of €70 million to €80 million, have been stolen from the Regional Museum of Messina on the Italian island of Sicily.
Reuters reported on Sunday, August 17, that Alessandro Giuli, Italy’s Minister of Culture, confirmed the theft. The artworks were stolen on Saturday evening from the museum in Messina, the birthplace of renowned Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina.
Among the stolen works are three panels from the San Gregorio Altarpiece and the double-sided painting Madonna and Child and Christ, both by Antonello da Messina. The altarpiece originally consisted of five panels; the remaining two were found near the museum following the theft and returned to the museum.
Antonello da Messina was one of the leading Italian painters of the 15th century, and his works are considered to be of significant artistic and historical value. The theft of his paintings from a museum in his hometown has therefore attracted widespread attention.
Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the theft, while efforts to locate the four missing artworks are ongoing. Based on published estimates, the combined value of the stolen works is believed to be between €70 million and €80 million.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
