Police in Brazil have recovered eight stolen Matisse artworks worth an estimated $200,000 from a home in São Bernardo do Campo, a suburb south of São Paulo. The artworks were taken during a heist at Biblioteca Mário de Andrade on December 7 last year. A 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene and is suspected of storing the artworks on behalf of those accused of planning the theft. Three other people had previously been arrested in relation to the case, which targeted a joint exhibition with the São Paulo Museum of Modern Art.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Eight illustrations by French artist Henri Matisse, worth around $200,000 (£148,000), were stolen from the Biblioteca Mário de Andrade in São Paulo on December 7 last year. Two thieves had taken the artworks, which also included five engravings by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari, during a heist that involved overpowering a security guard and an elderly couple. The stolen works were part of a joint exhibition with the São Paulo Museum of Modern Art. Police in Brazil have now recovered the Matisse illustrations from a home in São Bernardo do Campo, arresting a 44-year-old suspect, João Paulo Linhares de Araujo, who is suspected of storing the artworks on behalf of those involved in the theft. Three other people had been arrested earlier in connection with the case. The five engravings by Portinari remain missing, and police believe they may have been sold.
Written for “Matisse Artworks Recovered” on 2026-08-31,
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- Published
Eight illustrations by French artist Henri Matisse that were stolen from a library in São Paulo have been recovered by police in Brazil.
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that → publish → Brazil
The works, which have a combined estimated worth of about $200,000 (£148,000), were found on Thursday at a home in the town of São Bernardo do Campo, a suburb to the south of the city.
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which → have → city
A 44-year-old male suspect was arrested at the scene.
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suspect → arrest → scene
During the heist at Biblioteca Mário de Andrade on 7 December last year, two thieves overpowered a security guard and an elderly couple who had been visiting the library, before making off with the artworks through the main entrance on foot.
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who → overpower → foot
Three other people were previously arrested in relation to the case.
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people → arrest → case
Five engravings by the Brazilian artist Candido Portinari that were also taken during the robbery have not yet been recovered.
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that → take → robbery
Police in São Paulo said they suspected the works had been sold.
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works → say → Paulo
João Paulo Linhares de Araujo, the man arrested on Thursday, is suspected by police of having stored the Matisse artworks on behalf of those accused of being involved in the theft, as well as illegal possession of a firearm.
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Araujo → arrest → firearm
Laéssio Rodrigues de Oliveira, 53, described by Brazilian media as a prolific art thief, is suspected of having planned and directed the crime, according to Brazilian news outlet Globo.
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Oliveira → describe → Globo
He has been in custody since April after being arrested in relation to another case.
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He → arrest → case
Another man and a woman have also been arrested over the library heist.
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man → arrest → heist
The Matisse illustrations, made for the limited-edition art book Jazz, along with five engravings by Portinari, created to illustrate a special edition of the novel Menino de engheno (Plantation Boy) by Brazilian writer José Lins do Rego, formed part of a joint exhibition with the São Paulo Museum of Modern Art.
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illustrations → make → Art
The thieves targeted the exhibition, entitled From Book to Museum, on its final day.
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thieves → target → day
They reportedly entered the library by its main entrance mid-morning and headed towards the nearest metro station following the heist.
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They → enter → heist
Investigators said the theives placed the stolen artworks in a canvas bag to flee the scene.
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theives → say → scene
The local department of culture said the illustrations had already been returned to the library, the security of which had been improved.
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security → say → which
Matisse is widely considered to be one of the 20th Century's most influential artists and art critics say the value of the stolen works is "incalculable".
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value → consider → works
Portinari, who often painted rural workers and labourers, is one of the most significant Brazilian Modernist artists.
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who → paint → artists
