Story perspectives

Art Heist: Matisse and Portinari Works Stolen in São Paulo

12/10/2025

Summary

Story summary

On December 7, 2025, eight Henri Matisse artworks and five Cândido Portinari works were stolen from the Mário de Andrade Library in São Paulo, Brazil.
Two armed thieves held up a security guard and an elderly couple, targeting the 'From Book to Museum' exhibition, which concluded that day.
One suspect was arrested after identification through security footage.
The second suspect remains at large, and Matisse's pieces are known to be highly valuable.

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Story summary

On December 7, 2025, eight Henri Matisse artworks and five Cândido Portinari works were stolen from the Mário de Andrade Library in São Paulo, Brazil.
Two armed thieves held up a security guard and an elderly couple, targeting the 'From Book to Museum' exhibition, which concluded that day.
One suspect was arrested after identification through security footage.
The second suspect remains at large, and Matisse's pieces are known to be highly valuable.