Thieves snatch eight Matisse artworks from library in Brazil
Eight artworks by the renowned French artist Henri Matisse were stolen from a library in Brazil during normal opening hours, authorities report. The thieves reportedly entered the library without drawing immediate attention and placed the art pieces into a canvas bag before leaving the premises.
Officials described the theft as a highly coordinated act, noting the value and cultural significance of the stolen works. Security footage and witness accounts are being reviewed to identify the perpetrators and trace the missing artworks.
The library houses several rare and valuable collections, and authorities have urged the public to report any sightings or attempts to sell the stolen pieces. Investigators are also examining potential security lapses that allowed the incident to occur during business hours.
Art crime experts highlighted that such thefts often involve sophisticated networks, and stolen artworks may be trafficked internationally or used as collateral in illicit deals. The authorities have appealed for cooperation with international agencies to recover the Matisse pieces safely.
The incident has raised concerns over the protection of cultural heritage in public institutions, prompting discussions on enhancing security measures to safeguard irreplaceable artworks.