Thieves executed a brazen daylight heist at the Mário de Andrade Library in São Paulo on Sunday, making off with over a dozen artworks, including notable pieces by Henri Matisse. The assailants, identified as two men, overpowered a security guard and an elderly couple during visiting hours before escaping toward the nearby Anhangabau Metro Station, according to reports from CNN Brasil and information provided by the military police.
In a swift response to the incident, authorities arrested one of the suspects on Monday. The man’s attorney confirmed his capture, while police continue to search for the second suspect. The stolen artworks included eight prints by Matisse and five prints by Brazilian painter Candido Portinari, which were part of an exhibition titled “From Book to Museum.” This exhibition, a collaboration between the library and the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo, has been showcasing works from various influential artists since October.
The Municipal Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy issued a statement indicating that while the exact monetary value of the stolen pieces remains unclear, their cultural, historical, and artistic significance far exceeds any economic assessment. The library’s collection featured prints from Matisse’s renowned work, “Jazz,” which includes vibrant imagery derived from his famous paper cut-outs, accompanied by his reflections on art and life.
This theft follows a notable trend of art heists targeting cultural institutions. Just last October, thieves dressed in yellow vests executed a daring burglary at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where they stole nine pieces of jewelry valued at over $100 million. The incident was described as one of the most audacious art thefts at the museum since the Mona Lisa was stolen in 1911. Experts have noted that thieves are increasingly focused on artifacts that can be dismantled and sold for their raw materials rather than high-value paintings.
According to Remigiusz Plath, secretary of the International Committee for Museum Security, museums represent a “relatively soft target” compared to other highly secured facilities like banks. He emphasized the unique challenge that museums face in balancing robust security measures with providing public access to collections. “You can actually go in there, when the museum is open, and see it right in front of you,” Plath explained. “And if you apply blunt force, just like a roof, you’re right there — there are not many thresholds to go through to have access to these raw materials.”
As investigations continue, the art community remains on high alert, recognizing the need for enhanced security measures to protect cultural treasures from theft.
