Art stolen in Italy returns after six months

After almost six months, masterpieces by Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse have returned to their rightful place in the galleries of the Magnani Rocca Foundation in Mamiano di Traversetolo, near Parma.

An official ceremony was held this afternoon to mark the return of the paintings, which were stolen between March 22 and 23 by a gang of thieves and later recovered thanks to an investigation by the Parma Provincial Carabinieri Command and the Bologna Cultural Heritage Protection Unit, coordinated by the Parma Public Prosecutor’s Office, CE Report quotes ANSA.

The ceremony took place in the Goya Room in the presence of authorities and institutional representatives, as a tribute to everyone who helped make the artworks’ return possible.

“It has been a difficult few months, but today is an extraordinary day,” said Gino Gandolfi, president of the foundation.

“Returning these works to the public is a source of pride for us. The thieves were trying to sell the artworks abroad,” explained Parma Provincial Carabinieri Commander Andrea Pagliaro.

The paintings are highly valuable. Cézanne’s “Tasse et plat de cerises” is a watercolor estimated to be worth €6 million, while Renoir’s “Les Poissons” is valued at around €3 million. Matisse’s “Odalisque sur la Terrasse,” an aquatint, is worth approximately €20,000.

The investigation led to nine people being placed under investigation, five of whom were arrested. They are men and women of Moldovan origin, accused to varying degrees of criminal conspiracy and theft.

Photo: Chat GPT