# Matisse artwork theft and recovery in São Paulo

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/matisse-artwork-theft-and-recovery-in-so-paulo
> Updated: 2026-08-16T17:55:24.000Z. Sources: 53. Developments: 2.

Police in São Paulo have recovered eight artworks from Henri Matisse’s ‘Jazz’ series that were stolen from the Mário de Andrade Library in December 2025. The pieces, valued at approximately $200,000, were located in an apartment in São Bernardo do Campo.

The theft was carried out by an organized group that used armed force to hold a security guard and visitors at gunpoint. Investigators have linked the heist to Laéssio Rodrigues de Oliveira, a 53-year-old man with a history of art and book theft, who is accused of planning the crime. Evidence used to advance the case reportedly includes phone records and audio recordings of Rodrigues discussing the division of spoils.

While the Matisse prints have been recovered, five engravings by Brazilian modernist artist Cândido Portinari stolen during the same incident remain missing. Authorities suspect the Portinari works may have already been sold on the black market.

## Claims

- Eight Henri Matisse prints were recovered from an apartment in São Bernardo do Campo. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The artworks were stolen from the Mário de Andrade Library in December 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The recovered Matisse works belong to the Jazz series. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Five works by Candido Portinari remain missing following the theft. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Laéssio Rodrigues is accused by police of planning and ordering the theft. (single source)
- The value of the Matisse prints is estimated at nearly 173,000 euros. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-16: Matisse artworks recovered in São Paulo after theft

Brazilian police recovered eight stolen Henri Matisse prints from an apartment in São Bernardo do Campo, following a December 2025 heist at the Mário de Andrade Library.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/matisse-artworks-recovered-in-so-paulo-after-theft

### 2026-08-13: Matisse artworks stolen from São Paulo library recovered by police

Police in São Paulo recovered eight Matisse artworks stolen from the Mário de Andrade Library in December 2025. Five Portinari works remain missing.

49 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stolen-matisse-prints-recovered-from-mrio-de-andrade-library

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Cite as: Matisse artwork theft and recovery in São Paulo. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/matisse-artwork-theft-and-recovery-in-so-paulo