Eight Matisse Illustrations Stolen from São Paulo Library Recovered by Police
On Thursday, police in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, recovered eight illustrations by French artist Henri Matisse, estimated to be worth around $200,000 (£148,000). A 44-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with the case. The theft took place on December 7, 2022, when two assailants attacked a security guard and an elderly couple. Prior to this arrest, three individuals had already been detained. The Matisse illustrations were featured in the limited-edition art book Jazz and were showcased alongside five engravings by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari in the exhibition 'From Book to Museum'. The Portinari pieces are still unaccounted for. João Paulo Linhares de Araujo is believed to have hidden the Matisse artworks, while Laéssio Rodrigues de Oliveira, 53, is thought to have orchestrated the theft. The illustrations have been returned to the library.
Key facts
- Eight Matisse illustrations recovered by police in Brazil
- Works valued at about $200,000 (£148,000)
- Found at a home in São Bernardo do Campo, a suburb of São Paulo
- A 44-year-old man arrested at the scene
- Theft occurred on 7 December last year at Biblioteca Mário de Andrade
- Two thieves overpowered a security guard and an elderly couple
- Five Portinari engravings also stolen, still missing
- João Paulo Linhares de Araujo arrested, suspected of storing artworks
- Laéssio Rodrigues de Oliveira suspected of planning the crime
- Illustrations returned to library, security improved
Entities
Artists
- Henri Matisse
- Candido Portinari
- José Lins do Rego
Institutions
- Biblioteca Mário de Andrade
- São Paulo Museum of Modern Art
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- São Bernardo do Campo