Brazilian Police Recover Eight Stolen Matisse Works from 'Jazz'

The Brazilian police have recovered eight Henri Matisse works stolen from a library in São Paulo in December. The illustrations, taken from the artist's 1947 book 'Jazz', were found in a house in São Bernardo do Campo, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, after months of investigation. One man was arrested in connection with the theft. The works, valued at approximately $200,000 (around €173,000), were stolen from a display case during an exhibition. Three other suspects had previously been detained. The theft occurred on the last day of the exhibition when two thieves overpowered a guard and an elderly couple, escaping through the main entrance with the artworks, which also included five pieces by Brazilian artist Cândido Portinari. Surveillance footage showed the thieves carrying the works through the streets to a parked car. The recovered Matisse pieces are 'Le Clown', 'Le Cirque', 'Monsieur Loyal', 'Cauchemar de l'Éléphant Blanc', 'Le Codomas', 'La Nageuse dans l'Aquarium', 'L'Avaleur de Sabres', and 'Le Cowboy'. The library has since strengthened its security protocols. The Portinari works remain missing. The city administration hailed the recovery as a significant victory for the cultural heritage of São Paulo.