Picasso print stolen from Milwaukee art gallery in 2018 found by landlord while cleaning apartment

A stolen Picasso print, missing since 2018, has resurfaced in Milwaukee, much to the surprise of the gallery owner. Bill DeLind, owner of DeLind Fine Art Appraisals, was overwhelmed when police contacted him about a piece found by a landlord cleaning out a vacant apartment. DeLind immediately recognized the "Torero" print, one of only 30 known to exist and signed by Picasso, noting that his gallery's sticker was still on the back.

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I was overwhelmed. I was at a loss for words. It was an overwhelming moment for me.

Landlord Tim Dertz discovered the artwork hanging on a wall in the apartment of an evicted tenant. Covered in dust, it appeared to have been there for a long time. Dertz's antique dealer friend identified it as a Picasso and suspected it was the one reported stolen in 2018. Dertz then turned it over to the police, who reached out to DeLind.

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It was indeed mine. It came back full circle.

DeLind expressed disbelief upon being contacted, recalling how his former business partner, who passed away recently, was deeply affected by the theft and annually contacted police to publicize the case. The print was appraised at $35,000 to $50,000 in 2018, a value DeLind believes has remained stable, though its story might now increase its worth. The Milwaukee police department confirmed the case remains under investigation, despite the statute of limitations for theft generally being six years. The artwork is currently held by the police as the client who commissioned its sale works with their insurance company.

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It was kind of in a weird spot hanging on a wall. It looked like it had been there for a long, long time because it had tons of dust across the top of it.