image sourced from original article at Thieves stole three masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, and Henri Matisse from a private museum near Parma in a raid that lasted less than three minutes. The works, valued at an estimated 8.7 million pounds, were taken during the early hours of March 23 after the criminals forced open a back entrance using crowbars.
The stolen paintings were 'Fish' by Renoir, 'Still Life with Cherries' by Cézanne, and 'Odalisque on the Terrace' by Matisse. The thieves appeared to know exactly where the works were located, heading straight to a room dedicated to French painters before escaping through the museum gardens. A fourth, unidentified painting was left behind.
Museum officials described the theft as highly organized, suggesting the perpetrators likely carried out surveillance in advance. An art recovery expert said the works are unlikely to be sold through reputable dealers and may instead be trafficked through illicit networks in parts of Europe or beyond. The incident adds to a series of high-profile art thefts across Europe in recent months.
