Four paintings by Renaissance master Antonello da Messina have been stolen from the Museo Civico di Messina in Messina, Sicily, Italy. The thieves disabled the museum's security system before making off with three panels from 'The Altarpiece of San Gregorio' and a single work depicting the Virgin Mary holding the dead Christ. The theft has dealt a major blow to both the museum and the city. Experts in the art world believe that the stolen works are unlikely to be sold on the legitimate market and could instead be used as a means of illicit trade among criminal organizations.
