In brief
Eight illustrations by French painter Henri Matisse that were taken from São Paulo’s Mario de Andrade Library have been recovered by police. The heist occurred on 7 December last year when two thieves overpowered staff and visitors before slipping away with the artworks. Authorities found the pieces in a home in São Bernardo do Campo and arrested a 44‑year‑old suspect. The recovered works are valued at roughly $200,000 and will return to the library, which has upgraded security.
Eight illustrations by French artist Henri Matisse that were stolen from the Mario de Andrade Library in São Paulo last year have been recovered by police in Brazil.
The works, with a combined value of about $200,000, were found on Thursday in a home in the suburb of São Bernardo do Campo. A 44‑year‑old male suspect was arrested at the scene.
The theft, carried out on 7 December, involved two thieves who overpowered a security guard and an elderly couple visiting the library. They left with the artworks, which were part of a planned exhibition titled From Book to Museum.
Three other suspects were previously arrested in connection with the case. In addition, five works by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari taken during the robbery have not yet been recovered.
Police say the Matisse illustrations were stored on behalf of those responsible for the robbery, the arrested man João Paulo Linhares de Araujo is suspected. The crime was allegedly planned by prolific art thief Laéssio Rodrigues de Oliveira, who remains in custody since April.
The recovered Matisse works were created for the limited‑edition art book Jazz, while the Portinari engravings were made for a special edition of the novel Menino de engenho by José Lins do Rego. The theft targeted the final day of the joint exhibition with the São Paulo Museum of Modern Art.
Local cultural authorities report that the artworks are now back in the library, which has reinforced its security measures.
