Three masterpieces by renowned Italian museum artists stolen, worth millions of euros

Ask AI · What lessons does this theft incident offer for museum security systems?

Reference News Network, April 1 According to AFP on March 29, Italian police announced on the 29th that a week ago, thieves stole paintings by Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse from an Italian museum.

The report states that a police spokesperson confirmed to AFP that four masked men broke into the Maniani-Roca Foundation Museum near Parma in northern Italy between the night of March 22 and early morning of March 23, stealing the aforementioned artworks.

According to Italian media, the thieves stole Auguste Renoir’s “The Fish,” Paul Cezanne’s “Cup and Cherry Plate,” and Henri Matisse’s “Maid on the Balcony,” with a total value of several million euros.

The thieves pried open the museum’s door, entered a first-floor room, then escaped through the museum’s garden.

Museum staff told Italy’s Sky News 24-hour news channel that the entire theft took less than 3 minutes, with the operation being orderly and well-organized.

The museum added that due to the surveillance system and the quick intervention of police and security personnel, the thieves were unable to access other areas of the museum.

The police spokesperson said that authorities are reviewing video footage from the museum and nearby businesses.

The Maniani-Roca Foundation Museum is about 20 kilometers from Parma and houses collections from art historian Luigi Maniani, including works by Dürer, Rubens, Van Dijk, Goya, and Monet. (Translation / Hu Xue)