Major Art Heist Shakes São Paulo Cultural Scene
São Paulo's cultural community is reeling after an armed robbery at the prestigious Biblioteca Mário de Andrade on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Two armed individuals reportedly infiltrated the library, making off with a significant collection of engravings by renowned artists Henri Matisse and Candido Portinari. The stolen pieces were part of the exhibition 'Do livro ao museu: MAM São Paulo e a Biblioteca Mário de Andrade', a collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo (MAM), which was scheduled to conclude on the very day of the theft.
Details of the Daring Theft
The incident occurred around 10:00 AM to 10:15 AM at the library, located on Rua da Consolação, 94, in central São Paulo. According to police reports, the two armed men subdued security guards and an elderly couple who were visiting the exhibition. They then proceeded to remove the artworks, placing them into a canvas bag before fleeing through the main exit. Authorities believe the suspects may have headed towards the Anhangabaú subway station.
- Eight engravings by Henri Matisse were stolen. These included works from his celebrated 'Jazz' series, such as 'O Palhaço' (The Clown), 'O Circo' (The Circus), 'Senhor Leal' (Monsieur Loyal), 'O Pesadelo do Elefante Branco' (The Nightmare of the White Elephant), 'Os Codomas' (The Codomas), 'O Nadador no Aquário' (The Swimmer in the Aquarium), 'O Engolidor de Palavras' (The Sword Swallower), and 'O Cowboy' (The Cowboy).
- Five engravings by Candido Portinari were also taken. These pieces were from his 'Menino de Engenho' series, which illustrated the book by José Lins do Rego.
The cultural and artistic value of Matisse's 'Jazz' series alone has been described as 'incalculable' by art critic and curator Tadeu Chiarelli, given its rarity with fewer than 300 copies worldwide.
Investigation Underway and Security Concerns
The São Paulo Military Police initiated patrols in the area immediately following the report, and the Civil Police have isolated the site for forensic examination. The city government confirmed that the library is equipped with a surveillance system and security cameras, and all available material is being provided to assist the investigation. Furthermore, officials stated that the stolen artworks are covered by an existing insurance policy. As of the latest reports, no suspects have been apprehended.
This incident at the Biblioteca Mário de Andrade, the second-largest library in Brazil, which celebrated its centenary in 2024, has raised questions about the security of cultural institutions. It also follows a high-profile jewel theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris approximately two months prior, highlighting a concerning trend in art and artifact security globally.
5 Comments
Stan Marsh
Catching the thieves is crucial, but the real challenge will be recovering and proving the authenticity of these artworks if they've already entered the black market. It's often a very long shot.
Kyle Broflovski
This incident, following the Louvre theft, shows a global vulnerability in art security. However, São Paulo must address its specific security challenges within its own cultural institutions, not just attribute it to a trend.
Stan Marsh
Insurance won't bring back the cultural value. This is a massive failure of protection.
Eric Cartman
It's easy to blame security, but if armed individuals are determined, it's incredibly difficult to stop them without turning libraries into fortresses. We need a smarter, more integrated security approach.
Stan Marsh
This library just celebrated its centenary. What a pathetic way to mark such an important milestone.