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Matisse artworks recovered in São Paulo after theft
Police in São Paulo have recovered eight prints from Henri Matisse’s ‘Jazz’ series that were stolen from the Mário de Andrade Library in December 2025. The artworks were located in an apartment in São Bernardo do Campo.
The theft involved armed individuals who held a security guard and a visiting couple at gunpoint before fleeing with the pieces. While the Matisse prints have been returned, five works by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari stolen during the same incident remain missing.
Authorities have linked the crime to a specialized group. Laéssio Rodrigues, a 53-year-old man with a history of art and book theft, is accused of planning and organizing the heist. Investigators reportedly used phone records and audio recordings of Rodrigues discussing the division of spoils to advance the case.
Entities
Cândido Portinari · Henri Matisse · Laéssio Rodrigues · Mário de Andrade Library · São Paulo Civil Police
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The value of the Matisse prints is estimated at nearly 173,000 euros. www.charentelibre.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The artworks were stolen from the Mário de Andrade Library in December 2025. www.mundopositivo.com.br · planetaosasco.com · www.charentelibre.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Five works by Candido Portinari remain missing following the theft. www.mundopositivo.com.br · planetaosasco.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Eight Henri Matisse prints were recovered from an apartment in São Bernardo do Campo. www.mundopositivo.com.br · planetaosasco.com · www.charentelibre.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The recovered Matisse works belong to the Jazz series. www.mundopositivo.com.br · www.charentelibre.fr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Laéssio Rodrigues is accused by police of planning and ordering the theft. www.charentelibre.fr