Three paintings dating to the 15th century were stolen from Milan’s Castello Sforzesco on Saturday.
The three canvas by an unidentified Cremona artist were located in room 17 of the Museum of Decorative Arts inside the castle. A security guard noticed the paintings were missing around 3 pm. The theft was reported to police at 8 pm after all appropriate checks were carried out.
The estimated value of the paintings, small square canvas depicting males wearing Renaissance clothes, is 25,000 euros each. “These works of art have little economic value, but great historical value because they give a good idea of the mores and fashion of the time,” said Francesca Tasso, the head of the museum. She added that the theft must have been planned in advance because the wall where the paintings were hanging is not covered by cameras. She said such paintings are hard to place, and they could only be sold on the antiques market.
Tasso said there are usually 5-6 security guards patrolling the rooms of the museum. Visitors can currently access the museum with their bags and backpacks, but there are plans, according to the museum, to open a wardrobe in the fall.
Only a couple of weeks ago, a precious painting by Guercino, estimated to be worth a few million euros, was stolen from a church in Modena.
