In a brazen heist, four priceless works of art by the 15th-century Renaissance master Antonello da Messina have been stolen from a museum in the Sicilian port city of Messina. The theft occurred on a national holiday, Ferragosto, when the city was distracted by the La Vara festival, a massive religious celebration. Italian authorities are likely to be under pressure to recover the stolen masterpieces, which include some of the artist's most significant works, adding to the sense of urgency in this high-profile case. As investigators begin to piece together the events of the theft, questions are being raised about the ease with which the thieves were able to gain access to the regional museum of Messina, or MuMe, on Saturday evening.
Four works were taken during public holiday, the day after Italian police recovered paintings by Cézanne, Renoir and MatisseFour of the most important works of art by the 15th-century Renaissance master Antonello da Messina were stolen during a national holiday from a museum in the Sicilian port city of Messina.Thieves gained access to the regional museum of Messina, or MuMe, on Saturday evening, possibly capitalising on attention being focused on La Vara, a huge religious festival that takes place in the city on 15 August, when Italy marks the ferragosto national holiday. Continue reading...
