The stolen paintings of three famous French artists who lived in the South of France, have been recovered, according to Ialian Police.
The paintings – worth a combined value of over $10-million – were by Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri Matisse.
While Cézanne was born and died in Aix-en-Provence, Renoir and Matisse spent many years on the French Riviera. Renoir lived and worked in Cagnes-sur-Mer for his final 12 years. He died there, and his home is now the Musée Renoir.
Meanwhile, Matisse made the Riviera his principal home (living in both Vence and Nice) for almost 37 years. He produced much of his work here and died in Nice where his work is now on display at the Musée Matisse.
The three works of art were stolen five months ago. According to police it took the thieves just three minutes to make off with their heist.
The Italian police (Carabinieri) said the paintings had been removed from the Magnani Rocca di Traversetolo Foundation in Parma on 23 March 2026, but following “extensive investigations” by the Carabinieri they have been identified and recovered.
Which paintings were stolen and recovered in Italy?
The Italian police said the following stolen paintings have been recovered:
- “Tasse et plat de cerises” (Cup and Plate of Cherries, translated by some media as Still Life of Cherries), a pencil and watercolour by Paul Cezanne
- “Les Poissons” (The Fish), an oil on canvas painting by impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- “Odalisque Sur La Terrasse” (Odalisque/Concubine on the Terrace), an etching by Henri Matisse.
“The paintings, valued at a total estimated value of over 9 million euros, will soon be returned to the community,” said the Carabinieri.
No further details were given.
Local Italian media reports that nine people were being investigated.
Magnani Rocca Foundation responds to paintings being recovered
Under the heading ‘Beauty Always Wins’, Magnani Rocca said in a statement on Friday evening: “Beauty has prevailed: Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse have been recovered.
“After almost five months, the three works stolen from the Villa of Masterpieces have been recovered thanks to the work of the Carabinieri, the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit and the Parma Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“Soon, they will be able to return to where Luigi Magnani (the late art collector whose former residence is home to the Foundation) intended them to be: on display for everyone to see.”
Stefano Roffi, a director at the Foundation who oversees the permanent collection, told Italian news agency ANSA that it’s likely the thieves found it difficult to sell the art pieces because they are so famous, according to the New York Times.
Watch Video: Thieves Stealing Cezanne, Matisse and Renoir Paintings in Italy
Italian police posted the following video which shows the heist in March 2026.
