A rare signed Picasso print stolen from a Milwaukee art gallery in 2018 was recovered after a landlord found it hanging in a vacant apartment following an eviction, authorities confirmed on August 6.
The 1949 etching titled "Torero", one of only 30 prints signed by Pablo Picasso, was turned in to the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) on August 5 after landlord Tim Dertz discovered it while cleaning a Bay View apartment. Dertz reported that the artwork appeared to have been on the wall for an extended period, noting it had accumulated significant dust on its frame.
Police confirmed the print’s authenticity the following day, matching it to a theft reported from DeLind Fine Art Appraisals in the 700 block of North Jefferson Street on February 16, 2018. The gallery owner, Bill DeLind, identified the piece by its attached DeLind Fine Art Appraisals sticker on the back of the framed artwork.
Recovery Process and Verification
Dertz initially showed the print to an antique dealer, who recognized it as a Picasso and suspected it might be the stolen artwork. After confirming its origin, Dertz voluntarily turned it over to police, who then contacted DeLind for verification. The MPD issued a statement expressing gratitude to the community member for recognizing the print and returning it.
DeLind described the recovery as an emotional experience, stating he was in disbelief upon learning the print had been found. He noted that the return of the artwork felt like a full-circle moment, contrasting its theft years earlier with its unexpected rediscovery. The print’s estimated value is $50,000, according to DeLind’s appraisal.
Background and Significance of the Artwork
The "Torero" etching is part of a limited edition of 30 prints signed by Picasso, making it a rare and valuable piece. The theft occurred in 2018, and despite police reports, no leads or recoveries were made until now. The artwork’s reappearance in an evicted tenant’s apartment raises questions about its journey over the past six years, though authorities have not disclosed further details about its whereabouts during that time.
Milwaukee Police have not announced any suspects or additional investigations related to the theft at this time.