Theft of Rare Matisse and Portinari Prints Shakes São Paulo Art Community
In a troubling incident that has unsettled the art community in São Paulo, city officials announced on Sunday the theft of eight prints by French artist Henri Matisse, a key figure in the Fauvism movement, alongside five prints by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari from the Biblioteca Mário de Andrade.
Reports from local media indicate that two armed individuals entered the library and removed the artworks without facing any resistance, leaving both staff and visitors in shock.
The prints were part of an exhibition titled "From Book to Museum," organized by the library in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art in São Paulo.
Despite the venue being equipped with a surveillance system and security cameras, as well as an increased security presence in the area, the thieves successfully executed their plan.
Authorities have yet to release additional information regarding the stolen prints, including those by Matisse (1869-1954) and Portinari (1903-1962). Notably, the five Portinari prints were illustrations for the 1959 book "Menino de Engenho."
This incident highlights significant security vulnerabilities in the protection of artworks and raises concerns about the fate of these rare cultural treasures, which represent a global heritage.
