Nearly 50 gold artworks by renowned Italian sculptor Umberto Mastroianni were stolen from an exhibition near Lake Garda, Italy, on Wednesday night, as confirmed by the Vittoriale degli Italiani estate, the exhibition’s host. The theft involved 49 pieces valued at approximately €1.2 million (over $1.3 million USD). While one artwork, titled “Uomo/Donna” (Man/Woman), was later found within the exhibition grounds, the remaining 48 pieces are still missing.
The exhibition, titled “Like a Warm, Flowing Gold,” opened in late December and was scheduled to run until Friday. The heist has prompted an ongoing investigation, with authorities working to recover the stolen works and identify the perpetrators.
Giordano Bruno Guerri, the head of the Vittoriale degli Italiani estate, has suggested that the theft was executed by a “highly specialized gang,” citing the advanced nature of the alarm systems installed at the venue. Despite the high level of security, the thieves managed to overcome the safeguards, leading Guerri to express concerns about the sophistication and planning involved in the operation. The case continues to unfold as investigators seek to piece together how the highly valuable art was stolen and track down those responsible.
