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Three Masterpieces Stolen from Italian Museum Near Parma in Overnight Heist
Rome – In a daring overnight robbery, thieves made off with three invaluable paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse from a private museum near Parma in northern Italy, police confirmed Monday.
The theft occurred during the night of March 22-23, when the culprits forced open the museum’s entrance. The stolen artworks include Auguste Renoir’s Fish, Paul Cézanne’s Still Life with Cherries, and Henri Matisse’s Odalisque on the Terrace.
The Magnani Rocca Foundation, located about 12 miles outside Parma amid the countryside, is known for its prestigious collection assembled by art historian Luigi Magnani. Alongside the stolen pieces, the museum houses works by renowned artists such as Dürer, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, and Monet.
Local reports indicate the thieves acted swiftly, taking less than three minutes to seize the paintings before escaping through the museum gardens. Authorities suspect a well-organized criminal gang carried out the operation, which was disrupted only by the museum’s alarm system.
The foundation remains closed on Mondays, and officials have yet to release an official statement or provide additional details regarding the incident.
This theft adds to a recent string of high-profile art crimes across Europe, including a notable heist last October at the Louvre in Paris, where thieves absconded with jewels and valuables totaling approximately $101 million. Authorities continue their investigations into these brazen acts targeting cultural treasures.