(ANSA) - Modena, August 13 - A priceless painting by the Italian Baroque painter known as Il Guercino has been stolen from a church in the northern city of Modena, police said Wednesday.

The parish priest raised the alarm upon realizing the 1639 oil on canvas painting of the Madonna with Saint John Evangelist and Gregory Thaumaturgus and measuring 293 x 184.5 cms had been absconded with overnight.

Police are investigating the theft of the painting, which had recently returned from being on exhibit at the Venaria palace near Turin.

