An armed robbery took place at the Mário de Andrade Library in the center of São Paulo, where two armed individuals stole 13 valuable works of art by the French master Henri Matisse and the renowned Brazilian artist Candido Portinari, local authorities confirmed.
The assault occurred in the heart of Brazil's largest city, where the criminals managed to neutralize the security guards. After the robbery, the suspects fled towards the nearby Anhangabaú Metro station, according to the Argentine News Agency.
The stolen works and their artistic value The Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of São Paulo detailed that the loot includes:
- Henri Matisse: Eight works, including plates, engravings, and drawings, from the prestigious "Jazz" collection.
- Candido Portinari: Five engravings that are part of the "Menino de Engenho" series.
The stolen artworks were part of an exhibition organized by the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo, and according to the state government, they were insured.
The robbery highlights a recurring vulnerability in the city's artistic heritage.
This Sunday's incident is not the first at the Mário de Andrade Library, as in 2006, 19th-century engravings were stolen, although the Federal Police managed to recover them in 2024.
The value of the stolen artwork is incalculable, as Matisse is considered one of the most influential modern artists, and Portinari is one of Brazil's most internationally renowned creators, famous for his work "The Coffee Farmer," which was stolen from the São Paulo Art Museum in 2007.
The Military Police have already launched a search for the two criminals, who managed to escape from the central building.
