Picasso stolen from museum

THIEVES broke into the Sao Paulo Museum of Art in Brazil yesterday morning and stole paintings by Pablo Picasso and Candido Portinari, police said.

During the robbery, thieves made off with Picasso’s Portrait of Suzanne Bloch, and O Lavrador de Cafe, by Portinari, an important Brazilian artist, said museum press spokesman Eduardo Cosomano.

Local media reports estimated their value at about $100 million (€70m), but Mr Cosomano said it is difficult to estimate the loss because the paintings had not gone to auction.

Ana Catarina Flaquer of the Sao Paulo Public Safety department said security cameras recorded the robbery, which lasted just three minutes.

She said the thieves left behind some of their tools and police had shut down the museum to search for clues.

The Portrait of Suzanne Bloch, painted in 1904, comes from Picasso’s blue period and is among the most valuable pieces in the museum’s collection.

O Lavrador de Cafe, which depicts a coffee picker, was painted in 1939 and is one of the most famous works by Portinari.

A statement from museum officials said the institution had not suffered such a robbery in its 60-year history.

Security guards are thought to have been on another floor at the time. Museum officials said they were working with police as well as Interpol and the Brazilian foreign ministry.

The building will remain closed while investigations are carried out.