Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse paintings recovered; Sicilian museum hit by heist

Italian police have recovered three artworks by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse that were stolen in March from a private museum near Parma, The Hindu reports. The works were found during searches ordered by prosecutors. The Cézanne was valued at €6 million ($7 million), the Renoir at €3 million ($3.5 million) and the Matisse at €20,000 ($23,000).

Days later, thieves stole four works by Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina from the MuMe museum in Sicily, Hindustan Times reports. The theft occurred on the Ferragosto holiday. Three panels of the 1473 San Gregorio Polyptych and a double-sided panel were taken. Museum director Marisa Mercurio called it a tremendous loss. Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson said such famous works are difficult to sell.

The Parma theft involved a structured gang, local media reported. The Sicilian thieves bypassed alarm systems. The museum was closed for investigation. The heists follow other high-profile European art thefts, including a €88 million theft from the Louvre in Paris.