Stolen Picasso print worth up to $50,000 found 8 years later

A stolen Picasso print valued at up to $50,000 has been recovered eight years after it disappeared from a Milwaukee gallery. Bill DeLind, owner of DeLind Fine Art Appraisals, was notified by police last week that the artwork, identified as the "Torero" print, had resurfaced during a routine cleanup of a vacant apartment by a local landlord. The print, one of 30 known to exist and signed by Picasso, was originally stolen from DeLind’s gallery in 2018. DeLind said he believed the piece was lost forever until the unexpected call from authorities. Upon seeing the artwork, he confirmed it was his, noting that the sticker from his appraisal service remained intact on the back of the frame, exactly as it had been placed in 2018. Tim Dertz, the Milwaukee landlord who discovered the print, described finding it in a dusty, neglected corner of an abandoned apartment. The artwork had hung there for what he estimated to be several years, covered in dust. Dertz shared the find with an antique dealer friend, who recognized it as a Picasso and suggested it might be the one DeLind had reported missing. The dealer relayed the information to police, who then reached out to DeLind. DeLind expressed shock upon learning the print had been found. “I was overwhelmed,” he said. “I was at a loss for words. It was an overwhelming moment for me.” He added that the return of the artwork felt like a full-circle moment, especially considering the emotional weight it carried for both himself and his late business partner. The Milwaukee Police Department stated via email that the statute of limitations for theft and property crimes typically stands at six years, yet the case remains under investigation. A spokesperson for the FBI in Milwaukee did not provide further comments. According to DeLind, the print was appraised at between $35,000 and $50,000 in 2018. While he believes the value has not significantly increased, the recovery has added sentimental value, potentially elevating its worth. The artwork is currently in the possession of Milwaukee police as the original client works through the process with their insurance company. DeLind recalled that his former business partner, who passed away in February, had been deeply affected by the theft. Each year on the anniversary of the incident, he would call police urging them to publicize the search in hopes of locating the Picasso. “He would have been over the moon about this,” DeLind said. “It was special to him.” The discovery marks a rare resolution to a long-lost theft, highlighting the enduring connection between art and personal history. As the case continues to unfold, DeLind remains hopeful that the recovery will bring closure to both himself and the memory of his late partner. The artwork remains with the police pending further steps in the ongoing investigation.