Renaissance masterpiece stolen from Sicilian museum

A Renaissance masterpiece by Antonello da Messina was stolen from a Sicilian museum, according to the Guardian. The theft occurred on 15 August during a religious festival in Messina. The circumstances of the heist have left investigators baffled.

The incident raises questions about museum security during high-profile public events. Antonello, a 15th-century Sicilian master, is celebrated for his technical innovation and psychological intensity; his works command high prices on the international art market. Theft of such pieces typically indicates either a commission from a private collector or an attempt to ransom the work back to the institution.