Brazilian authorities have recovered eight artworks by renowned French artist Henri Matisse that were stolen from a public library in São Paulo nearly nine months ago. The recovered pieces, valued at more than $200,000, were located during a police operation in São Bernardo do Campo, a city in the São Paulo metropolitan area.
The artworks were taken from the Mário de Andrade Library on December 7, 2025, during an exhibition featuring works by Matisse and Brazilian modernist artist Candido Portinari. Police said the recovered pieces were found in good condition.
Eight Matisse Works Found During Police Operation
The recovered artworks are engravings and illustrations associated with Matisse’s celebrated Jazz series, a limited-edition artist’s book originally produced in 1947. The eight pieces were estimated to be worth more than 1 million Brazilian reais, or roughly $200,000.
Investigators located the works inside a residence in São Bernardo do Campo as part of an ongoing investigation into the theft. A man found with the artworks was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property and illegal possession of a firearm. Police also seized a weapon, ammunition and cash during the operation.
The recovery represents eight of the 13 artworks taken during the robbery. The remaining five pieces, which were works by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari, have not yet been found.
Armed Robbery Shocked São Paulo Cultural Community
The theft occurred while the artworks were on public display at the Mário de Andrade Library, one of São Paulo’s major cultural institutions. Two armed men reportedly overpowered a security guard and visitors before taking the artworks and escaping from the building.
Authorities later identified Laéssio Rodrigues de Oliveira as the alleged organizer of the operation. He had already been arrested in April in connection with another art-related case and is regarded by investigators as a major figure in Brazil’s art and rare-book theft investigations. Police believe the stolen works were being held for him.
The recovered Matisse works are expected to remain part of the library’s rare-art collection. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the missing Portinari works and determine the full extent of the network involved in the theft.
