Four pieces of art by the 15th-century painter Antonello da Messina were stolen from the Museo Regionale di Messina, as confirmed by Italy’s culture minister. Alessandro Giuli expressed shock and sadness upon learning about the theft. This unfortunate incident has deprived Messina of significant works by the Renaissance painter, including the only surviving piece in his native city and a painting acquired by the Sicilian Region two decades ago.
The theft occurred on a national holiday in Italy, reportedly on Saturday night. Marisa Mercurio, the museum director, described the event as devastating, noting that the theft of two of Antonello da Messina’s most important works was a great loss for the museum, the city, the community, and the art world.
Local councillor Enzo Caruso suggested that the museum may have attracted the attention of the thief or thieves following the purchase of a Messina artwork by the Italian state earlier in the year. Three panels from an altarpiece known as “Polittico di San Gregorio” were among the stolen items. Originally consisting of six panels intended for a local monastery destroyed in the 1908 earthquake, this altarpiece was the only work by the Sicilian painter that had never left his hometown.
Another artwork stolen was a small two-sided painting depicting the Virgin with Child and a Franciscan monk on one side, and Christ on the other. This piece was part of the Wilhelm Soldan collection and was attributed to the artist in 2003 when it was acquired by the Sicilian Region.
In February, Italy’s Culture Ministry purchased another two-sided painting, known as “Ecce Homo,” from Sotheby’s just before it was to be auctioned. Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson noted that the stolen works are easily recognizable, making it difficult to sell them through legitimate channels. She emphasized that stealing an Antonello da Messina painting might be easier than selling it, as these famous artworks often circulate among criminals as collateral for illicit activities.
Antonello da Messina, born around 1430, trained in Naples and was influenced by Provençal and Flemish artists. He returned to Messina in 1457 and continued his work until 1474. The theft occurred shortly after Italian police recovered three paintings by French masters that were stolen from a museum near Parma in March.