Renaissance artworks by da Messina stolen from Sicily museum
AP News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Thieves stole four Renaissance paintings attributed to Antonello da Messina, valued at up to 80 million euros, from the MuMe museum in Messina, Sicily, during the Assumption holiday celebrations.
- The stolen works include three panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych (1473) and a double-sided panel depicting the Virgin Mary and the dead Christ, with two other panels abandoned during the theft.
- Museum director Marisa Mercurio and local officials described the theft as a devastating loss, emphasizing the cultural and artistic significance of the works to the region's heritage.
- Art crime experts noted the difficulty in selling such famous stolen artworks through legitimate channels, suggesting the thieves may struggle to profit from the heist.
- The museum was closed for investigation, and the theft coincided with major local festivities, complicating immediate response efforts.
