Four Renaissance paintings by the Sicilian master Antonello da Messina were stolen from a museum in Sicily, according to BreakingNews.ie. The theft took place during an Italian public holiday, as reported by CNN.
The stolen works are described as "extraordinary" by the BBC, which noted that they were taken from the museum alongside other items. The Guardian identified the pieces as four works by Antonello da Messina, a 15th-century painter known for his influence on Renaissance art in southern Italy.
The heist occurred while the museum was closed for the holiday, a detail highlighted across multiple outlets including RTE.ie. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact time of the break-in or the full inventory of what was taken, but the loss has been described as significant given the artist's stature.
Antonello da Messina is celebrated for pioneering oil painting techniques in Italy, and his works are rare, with only a limited number surviving globally. The theft of four pieces from a single collection represents a major blow to cultural heritage, according to the reporting from The Guardian and CNN.
Italian police have launched an investigation, though no arrests have been reported. The stolen paintings are likely to be difficult to sell on the open market due to their high profile, which may lead to attempts at private deals or ransom demands.
Watch for updates from Italian authorities on the recovery effort and any potential leads in the coming days.
