Thieves have stolen three valuable paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse from a museum near Parma in northern Italy, as confirmed by the police on Monday. The theft occurred overnight between March 22 and 23 when the perpetrators broke into the museum by forcing open the entrance door.
The stolen artworks include “Fish” by Renoir, “Still Life with Cherries” by Cézanne, and “Odalisque on the Terrace” by Matisse. The museum, known as the Magnani Rocca Foundation, is a private institution situated in the countryside around 20 kilometers from Parma. Reports suggest that the thieves managed to quickly grab the paintings and escape through the museum gardens.
The foundation, established in 1977, showcases the collection of art historian Luigi Magnani, featuring works by renowned artists such as Dürer, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, and Monet. According to local media, the theft was likely orchestrated by an organized group and was foiled by the museum’s alarm system.
While the museum has not issued a statement regarding the incident on its website and could not be reached for comment due to its closure on Monday, experts speculate that the stolen paintings are considered minor works in the context of the artists’ oeuvre. Italian art specialist Claudio Strinati mentioned that the heist might lead to a ransom demand, emphasizing that art thefts are sometimes driven by extortion motives.