Thieves struck a small museum north of Parma, Italy, in a lightning heist that saw works by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse vanish in under three minutes. The Magnani Rocca Foundation, known for its neoclassical villa, lost paintings estimated at $10 million, though security systems saved other masterpieces.

The incident echoes recent high-profile thefts in Europe, prompting questions about museum security. Bill Anderson of Art Guard suggests purpose-built structures could prevent such breaches, highlighting the vulnerabilities in converted spaces.

Local police are investigating and the Carabinieri have responded swiftly, but the Magnani Rocca Foundation remains tight-lipped on comments. The stolen pieces, lesser-known works by renowned artists, were part of a permanent collection that includes Goya, Morandi and Monet.

This heist comes six months after the Louvre suffered its own art theft, reigniting debates about security measures in European museums and galleries. At least three other institutions faced similar threats last year.