On the night of Oct. 17-18, 1969, Caravaggio’s Nativity with Saints Lawrence and Francis of Assisi, one of the masterpieces of Italian Baroque, was stolen under mysterious circumstances from the Oratory Chapel of San Lorenzo in Palermo, Italy.
The theft of this painting, made in 1609 during the last period of Caravaggio’s life, left a void in art history and is still the most enigmatic art theft that occurred in Italy.
THEFT OF CARAVAGGIO’S NATIVITY
The Nativity with Saints Lawrence and Francis of Assisi is not unique among Caravaggio’s stolen paintings, but it is considered one of Caravaggio’s most significant works in Sicily, which is why its theft was a devastating blow to Italy’s cultural heritage.
According to the investigation, the thieves entered the chapel by cutting the window frame and, once inside, removed the painting from its altar. Because of the work’s size, it is suspected that multiple people were involved in the theft.
THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CARAVAGGIO THEFT IN PALERMO
Investigations into the theft were complex and involved Italian police, the FBI and Interpol, as various hypotheses were considered from the beginning, including organized crime and black market art.
Over the years, numerous theories have been made regarding the painting’s fate, including possible ties to the Sicilian Mafia. Some mafia turncoats. in fact, have referred to the painting in their testimonies, suggesting that the work may have been used as a bargaining chip between criminals or even destroyed.
Despite numerous investigative efforts and international campaigns to find it, Caravaggio’s Nativity remains lost. Its absence reminds us that art is in danger when it is targeted by organized crime and especially when it is perceived as a weapon of blackmail.
In 2015, the Chapel Oratory of San Lorenzo installed a digital reproduction of the painting in the place originally occupied by the “Nativity,” while investigations continue in hopes of recovering the original work. Therefore, those in and around Palermo can enter the church and have the illusion of admiring Caravaggio’s work.
The theft of Caravaggio’s Nativity with Saints Lawrence and Francis of Assisi has not only stimulated a broader debate on the security of cultural property and the need for greater international cooperation in combating the illicit trade in artworks, but has also increased the legend surrounding the figure and works of Caravaggio, an artist already known for his tumultuous life and incomparable genius.
The hope that the painting can be found persists, fueled by art historians, investigators and admirers of Caravaggio around the world.