Thieves Steal Priceless Artworks from Library in São Paulo
On Sunday, December 7, thieves targeted the Mário de Andrade Library in São Paulo, Brazil, and made off with 13 valuable artworks. Among the stolen pieces were eight engravings by renowned French artist Henri Matisse and five works by Brazilian painter Candido Portinari. This brazen robbery has shocked the art community and law enforcement authorities in Brazil.
According to reports from local media outlet Globo, the thieves managed to evade security measures and escape with the precious artworks. The São Paulo state government has confirmed that one suspect has been identified in connection with the theft, but efforts to locate the stolen pieces and apprehend a second suspect are still ongoing.
During the heist, the suspects reportedly confronted a security guard and an elderly couple who were visiting the library. Surveillance footage captured one of the suspects carrying the stolen works in broad daylight and abandoning them near a pile of trash before fleeing the scene.
The stolen artworks were part of an exhibition titled Do Livro ao Museu (From the Book to the Museum), which showcased art books and explored themes of abstraction in modern Brazilian art. The exhibition, held in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo, featured rare pieces from the library’s collection, including works from Matisse’s book Jazz published in 1947 by Tériade Editions.
Matisse’s Jazz is a notable art book containing 20 plates of stencil artworks created by the artist during a period of physical limitations. The book, known for its vibrant and expressive compositions, has fetched high prices at auctions and is considered a valuable cultural artifact. Additionally, the stolen works by Portinari, a key figure in Latin American modernism, hold significant artistic and historical value.
The Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo is currently assessing the impact of the theft on its collection and collaborating with authorities to recover the stolen artworks. The incident has raised concerns about art security and the protection of cultural heritage in public institutions.
As investigations continue and efforts are made to track down the perpetrators, the art community remains vigilant in safeguarding priceless artworks and preserving the integrity of cultural institutions.
