Stolen Matisse artworks recovered in Brazil
Brazilian police have recovered eight works by Henri Matisse that were stolen from a library in São Paulo last year. A 44-year-old man was detained, while five engravings by Candido Portinari remain missing.
Brazilian police have found eight artworks by French artist Henri Matisse in a house in São Bernardo do Campo, a city near São Paulo. The works, stolen last year from a library in São Paulo, were recovered on Thursday. They are valued at approximately 200,000 US dollars (170,000 euros). A 44-year-old man was detained at the scene.
The stolen illustrations were part of a limited-edition art book titled "Jazz". They had been displayed alongside five engravings by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari. The robbery took place on 7 December last year. Two thieves overpowered a security guard and an elderly couple who were visiting the exhibition, then fled through the main entrance with the artworks.
Three people had previously been arrested in connection with the crime. The five Portinari engravings have not yet been found, and police suspect they may have already been sold. Authorities believe the man detained on Thursday was keeping the Matisse works on behalf of other suspects. He also faces charges for illegal possession of a firearm.
Brazilian media consider 53-year-old Laercio Rodrigues de Oliveira, described as an experienced art thief, to be the possible mastermind behind the robbery. He has been in custody since April in connection with another case.
