Italian Art Theft: A Deep Dive into Two of the World's Biggest Heists

Italy, often referred to as the cradle of Western civilization, holds an estimated 60 percent of the world’s artistic treasures. With such a vast collection of art, it’s no surprise that Italian art has long been a prime target for art thieves. While many people associate art theft with Hollywood-style heists, the reality is that art theft in Italy and across the globe is often part of a much larger criminal enterprise, sometimes even tied to organized crime, such as the infamous Sicilian Mafia. In this post, we explore the world of art theft in Italy, the Carabinieri’s fight to protect cultural heritage, and dive into two of the country’s most significant art heists.

Italian Art: Sistine Chapel Detail showing intersection of first and second registers, with: a prophet, a lunette, a sibyl, ignudi, medallions, bronze figures, and telamones — Sistine Chapel Detail showing intersection of first and second registers, with: a prophet, a lunette, a sibyl, ignudi, medallions, bronze figures, and telamones

The Carabinieri Art Squad: Guardians of Italian Art & Italy’s Cultural Treasures

In 1969, Italy formed the Carabinieri Art Squad, an elite branch of the national police force, tasked with combating Italian art and antiquity crimes. This specialized unit works closely with international organizations such as Interpol, U.S. Customs, and UNESCO to investigate Italian art theft, damage to monuments, illegal excavation, the illicit export of cultural property, and the sale of counterfeit artworks. They oversee a database of stolen artworks and closely monitor archaeological sites, Italian art dealers, and even junk shops to recover stolen or illegally exported pieces.

Italy’s commitment to recovering its Italian art and lost treasures has yielded success. For example, in recent years, 600 antiquities, including bronze statues, gold coins, and manuscripts worth $60 million, were returned to Italy from U.S. museums and private collectors. However, the process is far from over. Some stolen Italian art and artworks, like the famed Caravaggio's Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence, remain missing decades after they were taken.

Italian Art: 14th century illuminated manuscript - stolen and returned — 14th century illuminated manuscript - stolen and returned

While the Mona Lisa now resides securely in the Louvre, its fame can be attributed, in part, to a daring theft involving three Italian men who made off with the painting in 1911. The theft of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece elevated the painting from being just another work of Italian art to becoming one of the most recognizable pieces in the world.

In August 1911, three Italian men, including Vincenzo Peruggia, a former Louvre employee, spent the night in an art supply closet within the museum. When the museum opened the next morning, they emerged from their hiding place, removed the Mona Lisa from the wall, and made their escape. They stripped the painting from its frame and rolled it up in a carpet before catching a train out of Paris.

Michelangelo's David, at the Accademia gallery in Florence

The theft was not noticed until a day later when an artist, attempting to paint a copy of the Mona Lisa, discovered its absence. A massive investigation ensued, with figures such as J.P. Morgan and even Pablo Picasso being briefly considered suspects.

Peruggia’s motivation was rooted in a belief that Italian art and this painting belonged in Italy, not France. It wasn’t until over two years later, in 1913, that Peruggia attempted to sell the painting to an art dealer in Florence. The dealer became suspicious and called the police, leading to Peruggia’s arrest. The Mona Lisa was returned to the Louvre, where it has remained, albeit under significantly higher security measures.

Caravaggio’s Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence – A Missing Masterpiece

One of the most devastating art heists in Italian art history is the theft of Caravaggio’s Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence. This 17th-century masterpiece was stolen in 1969 from the Oratory of San Lorenzo in Palermo, Sicily. The theft, believed to be the work of the Sicilian Mafia, remains unsolved, with the painting still missing over five decades later.

On the night of October 17-18, 1969, two thieves entered the oratory, cut the painting from its frame, and disappeared into the night. Investigators believe the painting passed through the hands of several Mafia members, but its whereabouts remain unknown. Some reports suggest it was used as a rug in a Mafia boss’s home, while others claim it was irreparably damaged by animals and ultimately burned.

Despite numerous attempts to recover the painting, including cooperation between the Carabinieri, Interpol, and the FBI, the Nativity remains one of the most significant missing pieces of Italian art in the world. Valued at over $20 million, the painting’s loss is not just a financial blow but a profound cultural one, as Caravaggio’s work is irreplaceable.

Palermo has the best street food plus wonderful art and architecture — Palermo, Sicily has wonderful art and architecture

A Fight to Preserve Italy’s Heritage

The thefts of the Mona Lisa and Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence are just two of countless instances of Italian art theft in Italy. The Carabinieri Art Squad continues its tireless work to recover stolen artworks and preserve Italy’s rich cultural heritage. In 2021, Italy opened the Museum for Rescued Art in Rome, a unique museum dedicated to displaying recovered stolen art. Pieces are shown on a revolving basis before being returned to their rightful homes, ensuring that Italy’s treasures can be enjoyed by all.

For those passionate about this field, there is even an educational pathway available. The Association for Research into Crimes Against Art offers a postgraduate certificate program in Art Crime and Cultural Heritage Protection, held annually in Italy. This program attracts individuals from all over the world who share a desire to combat the illegal trade of Italian art and cultural heritage.

Conclusion

Italian art theft is not just a crime against the country’s history, but against global heritage. While stories of daring heists and stolen masterpieces captivate the imagination, they also serve as a reminder of the ongoing battle to protect and preserve the world’s artistic and cultural legacy. Through the dedication of organizations like the Carabinieri Art Squad, Italy continues to reclaim its lost Italian art and treasures, ensuring they can be enjoyed by future generations. But as cases like Caravaggio’s missing Nativity demonstrate, some pieces may be lost forever, leaving only stories of their brilliance and the mystery of their disappearance.

If you’re fascinated by art crime or have a particular story to share, feel free to leave a comment. Art theft is an enduring issue that affects not just Italy but the entire world, and every recovered masterpiece brings us one step closer to preserving our shared cultural history.

Saint Benedict Monastery fresco Subiaco: Upper Church: Martyrdom of St. Placidus; XVth century fresco attributed to Ottaviano Nelli — Saint Benedict Monastery fresco in Subiaco near Rome: Upper Church: Martyrdom of St. Placidus; XVth century fresco attributed to Ottaviano Nelli

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