THE ARCHIVE BY COUNTRY
Published reports from our archive, newest first.
A country may refer to the theft, recovery, return or legal proceedings. A case can be linked to more than one country.
8 reports
Brazil's Federal Police announced five court-authorised searches in Operation Página Oculta on 10 November 2026. The inquiry concerns the suspected handling, concealment and sale of stolen rare books, religious sculptures and other cultural property. The release did not confirm the recovery of any specific work. Documentary photo of the operation: Polícia Federal.
A polychrome wooden sculpture of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, missing for decades from its church in Caeté, was identified through technical analysis and comparison with an old photograph. Minas Gerais prosecutors confirmed the recovery and announced that the sculpture would be formally returned to the community on 18 November 2026. Photo: Ministério Público de Minas Gerais (MPMG).
Police recovered eight works by Henri Matisse stolen from the Mário de Andrade Library. Five works by Candido Portinari taken in the same robbery remained missing when the report was published.
Eight works by Henri Matisse and five by Candido Portinari were taken from the Mário de Andrade Library.
Police recovered Tarsila do Amaral’s Sol Poente and other works while investigating alleged fraud and theft targeting a collector’s widow. This records an investigative seizure.
Picasso, Portrait of Suzanne Bloch, stolen from MASP; Arte Que Acontece Image source ↗
The paintings were stolen in December 2007 and recovered in January 2008. The prison sentences remained subject to appeal.
Police guard the recovered Picasso and Portinari paintings. Photograph from the contemporary report. Image source ↗
Paintings by Pablo Picasso and Cândido Portinari stolen in December 2007 were recovered and returned to MASP. This report records the January 2008 recovery and return; later convictions are covered separately on the site.
Salvador Dalí, Two Balconies, stolen from Chácara do Céu. FBI reference photograph. Image source ↗
A report following the 24 February 2006 Chácara do Céu Museum robbery described the arrest of a driver suspected of assisting. Works by Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso were stolen. The suspect’s arrest was not a conviction.
