Four Renaissance paintings stolen from museum in Italy
Summary
Four valuable paintings from the 15th century were stolen from a museum in Messina, Sicily. The stolen artworks include parts of a multi-panel painting called the San Gregorio Polyptych and a painting named The Madonna and Child, both by the artist Antonello da Messina.Key Facts
- Four Renaissance paintings were stolen late Saturday from the Regional Interdisciplinary Museum of Messina in Sicily.
- The stolen works include three panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych and a double-sided panel of The Madonna and Child.
- Both artworks are attributed to Antonello da Messina and date back to the 15th century.
- The polyptych originally had at least five sections and was damaged in an earthquake in 1908.
- The Madonna and Child painting was sold for over $300,000 in 2003, according to an auction website.
- Italy's Minister of Culture said the stolen pieces have great importance for the country's cultural heritage.
- The mayor of Messina condemned the theft and expressed hope the paintings would be recovered.
- This theft happened shortly after Italy purchased another Antonello da Messina work called "Ecce Homo" for nearly $15 million.
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