In a stunning art heist, paintings by renowned artists Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, and Henri Matisse were stolen in a matter of minutes from the Magnani Rocca Foundation located near the Italian city of Parma. The incident occurred on March 22, when four masked men swiftly forced their way into the villa and made off with three masterpieces.
The stolen works include 'Les Poissons,' an oil painting by Renoir valued at approximately €6 million, 'Still Life with Cherries' by Cézanne, and 'Odalisque on the Terrace' by Matisse. Reports indicate that the thieves executed their plan in just three minutes, with the museum’s alarm system sounding before they could steal additional artworks.
The heist has raised concerns over the security measures in place at cultural institutions, especially following the notable daylight robbery of priceless jewels from the Louvre in Paris last October. According to the foundation, the gang appeared highly organized and had intended to take more items had the alarms not been triggered.
The criminals fled the scene by climbing over a fence, and their actions are currently under investigation by Italy's Carabinieri and the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Bologna. Estimated to be worth around €9 million in total, the theft marks one of the most significant art crimes in Italy in recent years.
Renoir's 'Les Poissons' was completed around 1917, and Cézanne's cherry painting, finished around 1890, is one of several he created featuring this theme, notable for incorporating watercolour techniques during the last years of his artistic career. Matisse’s 'Odalisque on the Terrace' depicts figures in a serene setting, painted in 1922.
The Magnani Rocca Foundation was established by composer Luigi Magnani in 1984 and is recognized for its valuable collection of artworks.
