Antonello da Messina masterpiece stolen from Sicilian museum

A painting by the 15th-century Sicilian master Antonello da Messina was stolen from a museum in Messina during a religious festival on 15 August, according to the Guardian. The theft occurred while tens of thousands of worshippers filled the streets of central Messina for celebrations.

The incident raises questions about museum security protocols during periods of high public activity and religious observance. Messina's annual festival draws large crowds and diverts police and security resources, creating a window of vulnerability for cultural institutions.