Renaissance Paintings Stolen from Sicilian Museum

Four Renaissance paintings, deemed of extraordinary value, were stolen from a Sicilian museum late Saturday. These artworks, dating back to the 15th century, include three panels of the San Gregorio Polyptych and a double-sided panel of The Madonna and Child. All are attributed to Antonello da Messina.

The theft occurred at the Regional Interdisciplinary Museum of Messina, as reported by Italy’s Ministry of Culture. The San Gregorio Polyptych originally consisted of at least five sections and suffered damage after a 1908 earthquake. The Madonna and Child previously sold for over $300,000 in 2003 according to Christie’s auction records.

Italy’s Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, expressed profound remorse over the incident, labeling the stolen items as crucial to the country’s cultural heritage. Messina’s mayor, Federico Basile, condemned the theft, calling it a “heinous criminal act,” particularly distressing as it coincided with the city’s Virgin Mary celebrations.

“We hope those responsible will be identified and that our artworks will be returned home,” Basile mentioned on social media, stressing Messina’s commitment to preserving its historical legacy.

Remarkably, this incident follows Italy’s recent purchase of Antonello’s “Ecce Homo” for nearly $15 million at a New York auction.