Police recover eight stolen Matisse artworks in São Paulo

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:31:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Eight Henri Matisse pieces taken from the city library have been retrieved by Brazilian police, amid arrests of the suspects involved.

The Matisse illustrations, taken from the Biblioteca Mário de Andrade last December, were found in a São Bernardo do Campo residence and recovered by police on Thursday. Arrests include a 44‑year‑old man and three other suspects. While five Portinari engravings remain missing, the operation targeted the final day of the joint “From book to museum” exhibition linking the library to the Museu de Arte Moderna. The police suspect the artist was the orchestrator of the heist, who also possessed an illegal firearm.

Police recover eight stolen Matisse artworks in São Paulo

Eight French artist Henri Matisse illustrations that were stolen from Biblioteca Mário de Andrade in São Paulo on 7 December 2025 have been recovered by police.

The works, valuing about £148,000, were found in a house in São Bernardo do Campo, a suburb south of the city. A 44‑year‑old man was arrested at the scene.

Investigations link the theft to a group of six suspects, including the man arrested. Three people had been previously detained, while the missing Portinari engravings remain unrecovered.

Police suspect the thief may have stored the pieces for the suspected perpetrators and also carried an illegal firearm.

The theft was carried out during the final day of the “From book to museum” exhibition, which showcased the works from a joint display with the Museu de Arte Moderna.