Thieves have stolen three valuable paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse from a museum near the city of Parma in northern Italy, as confirmed by the police on Monday. The theft occurred during the night of March 22-23, with the perpetrators gaining entry by forcing open the entrance door.
The stolen artworks include “Fish” by Auguste Renoir, “Still Life with Cherries” by Paul Cézanne, and “Odalisque on the Terrace” by Henri Matisse. The Magnani Rocca Foundation, a private museum located about 20 kilometers from Parma in the countryside, was the target of the heist.
Reports suggest that the thieves managed to seize the paintings in under three minutes and escape through the museum gardens. The foundation, established in 1977 and housing the collection of art historian Luigi Magnani, features works by renowned artists such as Dürer, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, and Monet.
Local media indicated that the theft was likely orchestrated by an organized group and was thwarted by the alarm system. The museum has not issued any official statement regarding the incident and could not be reached for comment as it was closed on Monday.
This art theft in Parma follows a series of high-profile heists at prominent European museums, including a notable case in October where thieves stole jewels and other valuables amounting to 88 million euros from the Louvre in Paris.
Italian art expert Claudio Strinati noted that the stolen paintings are considered minor works by the three masters involved. He mentioned that while Renoir’s painting is aesthetically pleasing, it does not rank among the foundation’s most significant pieces. Strinati also raised the possibility of a ransom demand following the heist, stating that art thefts are sometimes carried out for extortion purposes.