Two 17th-Century Masterpieces Recovered Hours After Lisbon Museum Heist

Portuguese police recovered two stolen masterworks less than a day after they were taken from the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon. The paintings were seized from a vehicle near the city on August 28, the day of the heist.

The works, by 17th-century artists, were removed from the museum’s collection during a break-in late on August 27. Authorities acted quickly following the alarm and eyewitness reports. Officers stopped the car on a highway leading out of Lisbon, retrieving the canvases intact.

The National Museum of Ancient Art holds one of Portugal’s most important collections, including paintings by Juan Carreño de Miranda and Pedro de Mena, though the exact titles of the recovered paintings were not disclosed. The museum had boosted security after a prior theft attempt in 2024 but this was the first successful theft in over a decade.

The police continue to investigate the suspects involved. Museum officials confirmed the works will soon return to public display once condition checks and restoration are complete.