• Two armed men stole 13 artworks, including eight Matisse engravings, from a São Paulo library.
• The robbery occurred at the Mario de Andrade Library during open hours on December 6.
• Authorities are scrutinizing security footage and have reportedly identified the thieves.

On December 6, 2025, a brazen art heist occurred at the Mario de Andrade Library in São Paulo, resulting in the theft of 13 artworks, including eight engravings by famous French artist Henri Matisse and five pieces by Brazilian artist Cândido Portinari. This alarming event took place while the library was open to the public, according to Le Monde, ABC News, and BBC.

The suspects reportedly approached the security guard and an elderly couple, threatening them before making off with the artworks into the Anhangabau subway station after leaving through the main entrance. The heist targeted the exhibition titled "From the Book to the Museum," which was set to conclude that day, highlighting a collaboration between the library and the Museum of Modern Art in São Paulo, according to Le Monde and ABC News.

Authorities have confirmed they are analyzing security footage which includes facial recognition technology installed at the library. According to Brazilian officials, the thieves have been identified but remain at large, emphasizing the challenges law enforcement faces in securing such cultural heritage, as noted by BBC.

The stolen Matisse engravings, particularly those created for his renowned 1947 art book "Jazz," are deemed invaluable, highlighting the significant impact of this theft on both Brazilian and international art scenes. The value of the entire stolen collection remains unassessed as investigations continue, according to Le Monde, ABC News, and BBC.