Four works by Italian Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina have been stolen from the Regional Museum of Messina (MuMe) in Sicily. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the museum's director, Marisa Mercurio, the theft occurred on Saturday evening. The criminals bypassed the alarm system and other security measures and entered the exhibition halls.
They took three of the five wooden panels of the "Polyptych of St. Gregory," dating from 1473, as well as a double-sided icon depicting the Virgin Mary and Christ. The latter was in a specially protected armored cabinet.
"We are stunned. This is a huge loss for the museum, the city, society, and the art world," said Mercurio. Her words were published by Corriere della Sera.
According to the museum director, the stolen works are among "the two most important and famous works" by Messina. She expressed hope that law enforcement would catch the criminals.