ROME (AP) — Thieves made off with three work by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse value thousands and thousands of euros from a museum close to town of Parma in northern Italy, police mentioned Monday.
The heist passed off on the evening of March 22-23, with thieves forcing open the doorway door, police mentioned.
The three stolen work are “Fish” by Auguste Renoir, “Still Life with Cherries” by Paul Cézanne, and “Odalisque on the Terrace” by Henri Matisse.
The Magnani Rocca Foundation, a personal museum, lies within the coronary heart of the countryside 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Parma.
Local media reported that the thieves had been in a position to nab the work in lower than three minutes and escape throughout the museum gardens.
Established in 1977, the muse hosts the gathering of the artwork historian Luigi Magnani and likewise consists of works by Dürer, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya and Monet.
Roberto Serra – Iguana Press via Getty Images
The museum believes a structured and organized gang was responsible for the theft, which was interrupted by the alarm, local media reported.
The museum didn’t post any statement about the theft on its website and wasn’t reachable for a comment, because it’s closed on Monday.
The crime comes after a series of high-profile heists at major European museums, including a major incident in October where thieves stole jewels and other items worth 88 million euros ($101 million) from the Louvre in Paris.
Italian art expert Claudio Strinati said that the three stolen paintings are minor works from the three masters.
“Renoir’s painting, for example, is very beautiful, but, within the context of the foundation as a whole, it isn’t among the most important works,” he informed The Associated Press.
Strinati also said the heist could be followed by a ransom request.
“Art thefts can indeed be carried out for the purpose of extortion,” he said.
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