Renaissance Panels Stolen in Sicily a Day After Italy Recovered Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse Works

On 15 August 2026, thieves bypassed alarms at Messina's MuMe museum and stole four Antonello da Messina panels, including three from his signed 1473 Polittico di San Gregorio altarpiece. Two works were abandoned outside. The heist followed police recovery of stolen Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse paintings near Parma on 14 August, intensifying scrutiny of Italy's cultural-security infrastructure.