The Heist
Thieves targeted Sicily's MuMe museum during Ferragosto, evading security to steal Renaissance pieces, including parts of the 1473 San Gregorio Polyptych and a double-sided panel of the Virgin Mary and dead Christ.[S1][S4]
Thieves stole a polyptych's panels, abandoning two, and a double-sided panel, once owned by Wilhelm Soldan, in a heist valued at 70-80 million euros. The double-sided panel was sold to the Sicilian government in 2003 and attributed to Antonello that year.[S1][S5]
Reactions and Impact
The MuMe museum's director, Marisa Mercurio, expressed her deep sorrow over the theft, which occurred around 10 p.m. despite functioning alarms and security personnel on site. Enzo Caruso, Messina's top culture official, lamented the loss, stating it has deprived the city of a vital part of its cultural heritage from the European Renaissance.[S1][S4]
Art historian Valentina Certo emphasized that the stolen works had survived the 1908 earthquake and five centuries of history, making the loss immeasurable in economic terms. The theft comes just days after Parma police recovered stolen works by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse, and follows Italy's Culture Ministry acquisition of Antonello's 'Ecce Homo' for $14.9 million earlier this year.[S5][S1]
Investigation and Aftermath
Following the theft, investigators reviewed security footage on Sunday. According to art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson, the stolen masterpieces are highly recognizable, making them hard to sell legally. Albertson believes such famous artworks often end up being used as collateral in other illicit activities.[S1][S6]
