Thieves Steal 4 Antonello da Messina Works as $15 Million Purchase Raises Commissioned-Theft Fears
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Aug 16
Thieves Steal 4 Antonello da Messina Works as $15 Million Purchase Raises Commissioned-Theft Fears
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Aug 16
Summary
Four Antonello da Messina artworks were taken late Saturday from Messina's regional museum during the city's Assumption Day procession, stunning the Sicilian hometown of the 15th-century painter.
Five wooden panels from the Polittico di San Gregorio were removed, but two were abandoned outside, leaving three stolen from the altarpiece along with a small double-sided painting taken from a secure display case.
Enzo Caruso, the city's culture councilor, said Italy's $15 million purchase of another Antonello work earlier this year likely put the museum on criminals' radar and pointed to a commissioned theft.
The burglary stripped Messina of parts of the only Antonello work that had never left the city, adding to concern over museum security days after police in Parma recovered three paintings stolen there in March.