Renowned Sculptor’s Jewelry Collection Vanishes in Daring Theft. In a meticulously planned heist targeting an exhibition in northern Italy, thieves have made off with nearly 50 pieces of gold jewelry created by acclaimed Italian sculptor Umberto Mastroianni, with an estimated value of 1.2 million euros (US$1.31 million), according to curators.
The daring robbery took place on Wednesday night at the Vittoriale degli Italiani estate on Lake Garda, where the collection of rings, bracelets, pendants, and sculptures by Mastroianni was on display. Considered one of Italy’s foremost contemporary sculptors, Mastroianni’s works were showcased as part of the exhibition titled “Like a warm and fluid gold. The golds of Umberto Mastroianni,” which opened in December last year at the Museo d’Annunzio Segreto and was scheduled to conclude on Friday.
Lorenzo Zichichi, president of the Center for Studies of the Works of Umberto Mastroianni, lamented the loss of the invaluable artifacts, describing them as “true ‘wearable sculptures'” and highlighting their significance as the most important testament to the master’s gold production. Zichichi emphasized that if the stolen pieces are not recovered, it would represent an “inestimable loss” to Mastroianni’s legacy, as the gold collection belonged to his relatives.
Only one of the 49 items in the collection was found elsewhere on the estate, leaving the majority of the pieces missing. The stolen works, meticulously crafted by Mastroianni himself from the 1950s until his death in 1998, include a variety of intricate designs and motifs, showcasing the artist’s skill and creativity.
Vittoriale director Giordano Bruno Guerri refrained from divulging specifics about the robbery, citing ongoing investigations by the police and art specialists. However, he acknowledged that the estate’s alarm systems were extensive and of the highest caliber, suggesting that the thieves were part of a highly specialized gang.
Despite the thoroughness of the robbery, other jewels displayed alongside the Mastroianni pieces remained untouched, raising questions about the precise motives behind the targeted theft. Mastroianni’s artistic repertoire extends beyond jewelry, encompassing monumental sculptures found in various Italian towns, paying homage to the World War II resistance movement.
As authorities intensify their efforts to recover the stolen treasures and apprehend the perpetrators, the brazen heist serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of cultural artifacts to theft and the importance of bolstering security measures to protect invaluable works of art for future generations.