Thieves stole three valuable paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse, collectively worth millions of euros, from a museum close to Parma in northern Italy, as confirmed by the police on Monday. The theft occurred overnight on March 22-23, when the perpetrators forcefully entered through the museum’s main door.
The stolen artworks include “Fish” by Renoir, “Still Life with Cherries” by Cézanne, and “Odalisque on the Terrace” by Matisse. The Magnani Rocca Foundation, a private museum located approximately 20 kilometers from Parma in the countryside, was the target of the heist.
Reports indicate that the thieves swiftly seized the paintings in under three minutes and escaped through the museum gardens. The foundation, established in 1977, showcases the collection of art historian Luigi Magnani, featuring pieces by Dürer, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, and Monet.
Local media suggested that an organized criminal group carried out the theft, which was cut short by the museum’s alarm system. The museum, inaccessible for comments as it was closed on Monday, has not released any official statement regarding the incident.
This robbery in Parma follows a series of prominent art thefts in major European museums, including a significant case in October where thieves looted jewels and other valuables worth 88 million euros from the Louvre in Paris.
Italian art expert Claudio Strinati noted that the stolen paintings are not considered major works by the respective artists. He mentioned that while Renoir’s painting is aesthetically pleasing, it does not rank among the foundation’s most significant pieces. Strinati speculated that the theft might lead to a ransom demand, as art thefts are sometimes orchestrated to extort money.