One Arrested in Armed Theft of Matisse and Portinari Prints From São Paulo Library

Overview

• Police detained Felipe dos Santos Fernandes Quadra, 31, in Mooca after reviewing municipal Smart Sampa footage, and a second identified suspect remains at large.
• Investigators seized the getaway van for forensic analysis, and the case is being handled by the 1st Cerco unit with the 2nd Police District logging the report.
• Eight works are from Henri Matisse’s Jazz and five from Cândido Portinari’s Menino de Engenho series, and none of the stolen gravures has been recovered.
• The robbery occurred Sunday morning when two armed men overpowered security and visitors at the Biblioteca Mário de Andrade; no injuries were reported.
• Officials say the exhibition was insured, but museum leadership stresses insurance is only a monetary safeguard given the rarity and cultural value of the prints.