Brazilian police have recovered eight illustrations by French artist Henri Matisse that were stolen from a São Paulo library in December 2025, discovering the works at a residence in São Bernardo do Campo on 13 August 2026. A 44-year-old man, identified as João Paulo Linhares de Araujo, was arrested at the scene and is suspected of storing the artworks on behalf of those allegedly responsible for the original theft.
The illustrations, created for the limited-edition art book Jazz, were valued by international reports at a combined $200,000 (£148,000), though according to O Globo, Brazilian media placed their combined worth at more than R$1 million.
De Araujo also faces a separate charge of illegal firearm possession stemming from the arrest.
What happened during the original heist?
Two thieves overpowered a security guard and an elderly couple visiting the Biblioteca Mário de Andrade on 7 December 2025 before escaping through the main entrance on foot, carrying the stolen pieces in a canvas bag. Investigators say the pair then headed toward the nearest metro station to flee the area.
The stolen items formed part of a joint exhibition titled
