Eight Matisse works recovered in São Paulo; Portinari pieces still missing
On 13 August, authorities recovered eight pieces by Henri Matisse that had been stolen during an armed robbery at São Paulo's Mário de Andrade Library on 7 December 2025. These artworks, originating from Matisse's 1947 book Jazz, were discovered in an apartment in São Bernardo do Campo, where a man was apprehended for their possession. The total value of the recovered works exceeds $190,000. However, five pieces by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari from the same incident are still unaccounted for. The robbery involved two armed assailants who overpowered a security guard and a couple. Security footage played a crucial role in identifying suspects, leading to the arrest of two key individuals by federal police in April. The library celebrated its centenary in 2025, making it Brazil's second-largest.
Key facts
- Eight Matisse works from Jazz recovered on 13 August in São Bernardo do Campo.
- Works valued at more than $190,000.
- Five Portinari works remain missing; police suspect they may have been sold.
- Robbery occurred on 7 December 2025 at Mário de Andrade Library.
- Two armed men overpowered a guard and a couple, fled with 13 works.
- First arrest made the next day; two key suspects arrested in April in Rio de Janeiro.
- 11 raids conducted in May in São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, Diadema and Rio de Janeiro.
- Recovered works: Le clown, Le cirque, Monsieur Loyal, Cauchemar de l'éléphant blanc, Les codomas, La nageuse dans l'aquarium, L'avaleur de sabres, Le cowboy.
Entities
Artists
- Henri Matisse
- Candido Portinari
- Cauê Alves
- Pedro Nery
- José Lins do Rego
- Cândido Portinari
Institutions
- Mário de Andrade Library
- Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo (MAM São Paulo)
- São Paulo State Public Security Secretariat
- Federal Police of Brazil
- Mario de Andrade Library
- Museum of Modern Art São Paulo
- Interpol
- Civil Police of the State of São Paulo
- Special Corps for Repression of Organized Crime (Cerco)
- Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo (MAM São Paulo)
- São Paulo Municipal Secretary of Culture and Creative Economy
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- São Bernardo do Campo
- Rio de Janeiro
- Diadema
- Rua da Consolação