Suspect Arrested in Matisse and Portinari Theft from São Paulo Library
A suspect was apprehended in Brazil on Monday following the art heist that took place at the Mario de Andrade Library in São Paulo. The incident occurred on Sunday when two armed individuals threatened a security guard and an elderly couple, stealing thirteen artworks. Authorities utilized CCTV footage to identify the suspect. The stolen pieces include eight Matisse works from his 1947 book Jazz and five illustrations by Portinari for a 1959 publication by José Lins do Rego. The artworks are now on Interpol's watchlist, and the exhibition, focusing on modernist artists, was organized with the Museum of Modern Art São Paulo.
Key facts
- Suspect arrested Monday after Sunday theft
- Thirteen works stolen: eight by Matisse, five by Portinari
- Matisse works from Jazz (1947); Portinari illustrations from Menino de Engenho (1959)
- Two armed men entered library after opening
- No shots fired; security guard and elderly couple threatened
- Suspect identified via CCTV footage
- Artworks not recovered; added to Interpol watchlist
- Exhibition Do livro ao museu was collaboration with Museum of Modern Art São Paulo
Entities
Artists
- Henri Matisse
- Candido Portinari
- José Lins do Rego
Institutions
- Mario de Andrade Library
- Museum of Modern Art São Paulo
- Interpol
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Rua da Consolação