Italian cultural officials confirmed that thieves stole four works by Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina from the regional museum of Messina in Sicily. The pieces were valued at several million euros.
The thieves removed three of the five panels from the Polyptych of St Gregory, dated 1473, as well as the double-sided panel depicting the Virgin Mary and Christ Dead in the Pietà, which was removed from a reinforced display case, according to local media reports. They dismantled all five panels of the Polyptych from its frame, but left two hidden behind a wall as they fled.
The theft occurred shortly before 10 p.m., when security guards were in the building and alarm and security systems were functioning, explained MuMe museum director Marisa Mercurio to news agency ANSA. The incident took place while crowds gathered throughout the city for traditional celebrations of the Assumption holiday.
Art expert Alberto Fiz estimated that the value of the stolen works is between €70 million and €80 million. Mercurio stated that these were two of the most important and well-known works by Antonello da Messina, describing them as fundamental to the region's cultural heritage.
Enzo Caruso, Messina's top cultural official, called the theft a disaster and urged that the stolen works be recovered as soon as possible. Lynda Albertson, an analyst specialising in art crime, noted that the works are immediately recognisable, which prevents any attempt to sell them through reputable channels.