STOLEN WORKS BY RENOIR, CÉZANNE AND MATISSE RECOVERED

ROME, AUGUST 14 /SRNA - Reuters/ - Italian police have recovered three paintings by French masters Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri Matisse that were stolen in March from a museum near the city of Parma, officials said.

Members of the Italian Carabinieri's Cultural Heritage Protection Unit recovered the works following what police described as a complex investigation. The Carabinieri said they would release further information about the operation later in the day.

The paintings were stolen from the Magnani-Rocca Foundation museum in Mamiano di Traversetolo, near Parma, during the night of March 22-23. Art experts estimated their value at more than nine million Euros.

The recovered works are Cézanne's "Cup and Saucer with Cherries," Renoir's "Fish" and Matisse's "Maid on a Terrace."