In Italy, four priceless works by Antonello da Messina were stolen from the Sicily museum.

      Four priceless works by the outstanding Italian painter of the Renaissance, Antonello da Messina, have been stolen from the Regional Museum of Messina (MuMe) in Sicily. This was reported by the management of the cultural institution, as conveyed by TASS. The robbery occurred on the evening of August 15. The criminals broke into the museum building after disabling the security system and alarm. The thieves made off with four wooden panels: three from the five-part famous polyptych of San Gregorio, as well as a double-sided painting on wood depicting the Madonna and Child on one side and Christ on the other. The latter work was displayed in a specially secured showcase that the robbers broke into.

      Currently, specialists and law enforcement agencies are working at the crime scene. According to preliminary reports, the thieves did not take the San Gregorio polyptych in its entirety only because they ran out of time to dismantle the remaining parts. The San Gregorio polyptych has high historical value — it was originally created for a local monastery. The work suffered greatly during the devastating Messina earthquake of 1908, after which it was restored multiple times. The second stolen work — the double-sided wooden panel — was previously purchased at an auction by Christie’s in London, as specified by the newspaper La Repubblica.

      Antonello da Messina (1430–1479) was an outstanding Italian painter of the Early Renaissance and the greatest master of the Southern Italian school. He entered the history of world art as one of the first Italians to master the technique of oil painting perfectly. By combining the Italian sense of form with Dutch precision in detail, he had a colossal influence on the development of the Venetian school, including the work of Giovanni Bellini.

      Only about 40 authentic works by the master have survived to this day. Among the most famous masterpieces of the artist are "The Annunciation" (Maria Annunciata), "Saint Jerome in His Study," and the series of images of the suffering Christ "Ecce Homo." The works of Messina are characterized by deep psychological insight and innovative use of perspective and light for the 15th century.