ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Stolen Cezanne, Matisse, Renoir Paintings Recovered in Italy

cultural-heritage · 2026-03-29

In March, three artworks by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cezanne, and Henri Matisse were stolen from the Magnani-Rocca Foundation near Parma. Recently, Italian police, specifically the Carabinieri's art recovery unit, located the paintings during investigations initiated by prosecutors, although details remain sparse. The heist took place on 22 March when four individuals infiltrated the foundation, situated in a rural villa south of Parma, and swiftly took Les Poissons (1917) by Renoir, Still Life with Cherries (around 1890) by Cezanne, and Odalisque on the Terrace (1922) by Matisse, all within three minutes due to an activated alarm. The estimated value of the artworks is €9 million. Established in 1977 by collector Luigi Magnani and opened to the public in 1990, the Magnani-Rocca Foundation boasts one of Italy's premier private art collections, featuring works by renowned artists such as Albrecht Dürer and Titian. The investigation is ongoing, with inquiries made to both the foundation and the Carabinieri for comments.

Key facts

  • Three paintings by Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse were recovered by Italian police.
  • The works were stolen from the Magnani-Rocca Foundation near Parma on 22 March.
  • The theft was carried out by four men in less than three minutes.
  • The paintings have a total estimated value of €9 million.
  • The recovered works are Les Poissons (1917), Still Life with Cherries (around 1890), and Odalisque on the Terrace (1922).
  • The Carabinieri's art recovery squad found the paintings during searches ordered by prosecutors.
  • The Magnani-Rocca Foundation was founded in 1977 by Luigi Magnani and opened in 1990.
  • The investigation is ongoing.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Magnani-Rocca Foundation
  • Carabinieri
  • Fondazione Magnani Rocca
  • Crédit Agricole Italia
  • Art Recovery International
  • Louvre
  • Italian Carabinieri
  • The Times
  • The Art Newspaper
  • Associated Press
  • ANSA
  • France 24
  • The New York Times
  • Magnani Rocca Foundation
  • Fondazione Magnani-Rocca
  • Carabinieri cultural heritage protection unit
  • Le Monde
  • Parma public prosecutor's office
  • Interpol
  • Italy's art theft squad
  • Villa dei Capolavori
  • Museo Interdisciplinare Regionale (MuMe)
  • Christie's
  • Sotheby's
  • International Council of Museums
  • Drents Museum
  • Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Bologna
  • Artuu Magazine
  • Villa Magnani Rocca

Locations

  • Italy
  • Parma
  • Mamiano di Traversetolo
  • Paris
  • France
  • Messina
  • Sicily
  • Moldova
  • Europe
  • Apollo Gallery
  • Sao Paulo
  • Brazil
  • Traversetolo
  • Mamiano
  • Bologna
  • Naples
  • New York
  • Abruzzo
  • Netherlands
  • Romania

Sources