Italy, Sicily, Messina, Regional Museum, inv. 548.
\n\nFour pieces of art were stolen from a regional museum in the city of Messina in Sicily in a brazen heist as the city celebrated a cultural holiday over the weekend.
\n\nThe theft happened Saturday at the Regional Museum of Messina, located on the northern coast of Messina. Italian officials say thieves were able to bypass alarm and security systems and stole three of the five remaining panels of the San Gregorio Polyptych. They were also able to remove the double-sided panel that depicts the Virgin Mary and dead Christ in Pieta from an armored display case, according to LaPresse.
\n\nArt expert Alberto Fiz estimates the stolen work to be worth anywhere between $81 million to $92 million in value.
\n\nArt crime analyst Lynda Albertson spoke of the recognizable work and effort it took to take it, saying "Stealing an Antonello may be far easier than selling one," Albertson said. "If these are ordinary thieves, they will soon discover that – to their cost."
\n\nThe museum director Marisa Mercurio said the alarms in the museum were operational and there were even guards on site.
\n\nCultural officials call the thievery and loss of the…
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