New Delhi: Four valuable artworks by renowned Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina have been stolen from a regional museum in Messina, Sicily, Italy. The theft took place on Saturday evening as thousands of people gathered in the city for an annual religious procession.
Art experts have estimated the combined value of the stolen masterpieces at between $80 million and $90 million, making it one of the most significant art thefts in recent years.
The stolen artworks were taken from the MuMe museum and include three of the five surviving panels from Antonello da Messina's famous San Gregorio Polyptychcreated in 1473. Another stolen piece is a double-sided religious painting featuring the Virgin Mary on one side and the dead Christ on the other.
The artworks are considered among the most important surviving creations of Antonello da Messina, who was born in Messina and is regarded as one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance.
Initial investigations suggest that the thieves managed to overcome the museum's security and alarm systems before escaping with the valuable works.
Authorities suspect that the criminals may have taken advantage of the huge crowds attending the traditional 'Vara' procession held every year on August 15. The event attracts around 100,000 visitors to Messina, and security resources were reportedly focused on managing the large gathering.
Police and art investigators have launched a probe to recover the stolen masterpieces and identify those responsible for the theft.