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

Picasso Print Stolen from Milwaukee Gallery Found After Eight Years

Wanderstayfinder.com – A rare Picasso print stolen from Milwaukee nearly a decade ago has finally been recovered. Bill DeLind, owner of DeLind Fine Art Appraisals, received an unexpected call from police last week about artwork discovered by a local landlord. The piece was the Torero print, one of only thirty known copies signed by Picasso himself. DeLind recognized it immediately—the framed print still bore the original gallery sticker on its reverse side, exactly as it had been when the theft occurred in 2018.

“I was overwhelmed,” DeLind said Friday. “I was at a loss for words. It was an overwhelming moment for me.”

Unexpected Discovery in a Tenant’s Apartment

Tim Dertz, a Milwaukee landlord, was cleaning out an apartment belonging to an evicted tenant when he noticed something unusual. The artwork hung in an odd location on the wall, covered in a thick layer of dust across its top surface. Dertz brought the piece to an antique dealer friend who immediately identified it as a Picasso. The dealer recognized it as the specific print that DeLind had reported stolen several years earlier. Dertz turned the artwork over to local police, who then reached out to DeLind to confirm its identity.

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

Investigation and Legal Status

The Milwaukee police department confirmed that the statute of limitations for theft and property crimes in the area is typically six years. However, the case remains open and under active investigation. Caroline Clancy, a spokesperson for the FBI in Milwaukee, declined to provide additional comment when contacted. The Picasso print stolen from Milwaukee has now been returned to police custody while the investigation continues. The client who originally commissioned the print for sale through DeLind’s gallery is working through the insurance process to resolve ownership and compensation matters.

Financial Value and Personal Significance

When the print was stolen in 2018, it had been appraised at a value between $35,000 and $50,000. DeLind estimates that the market value has remained relatively stable since then. However, the remarkable story of its recovery may add significant premium to the piece, potentially bringing its worth closer to $50,000. For DeLind, the recovery carries personal significance beyond the financial value. His former business partner, who passed away in February 2018, had been deeply affected by the theft. Every year on the anniversary of the crime, his partner would call police departments, asking them to publicize the missing artwork in hopes that it might one day be found.

“He would have been over the moon about this,” DeLind said. “It was special to him.”

Why This Matters for Milwaukee Collectors

The Torero print holds particular importance among Picasso collectors. Created during the artist’s prolific period, these prints capture the dramatic energy of bullfighting imagery that fascinated Picasso throughout his career. With only thirty known examples in existence, each authenticated piece represents a tangible connection to one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists. Art theft cases often involve complex chains of custody, and the fact that this print was hanging in a residential apartment suggests it may have been acquired through secondary markets or private sales after leaving the gallery. The dust accumulation indicates it was likely displayed rather than stored away, possibly by someone who appreciated its aesthetic value without recognizing its full significance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the value of the Picasso print stolen from Milwaukee? The print was appraised at $35,000 to $50,000 when stolen in 2018. DeLind estimates the value has remained stable, though the recovery story may add a premium bringing it closer to $50,000.

How was the Picasso print stolen from Milwaukee discovered? Tim Dertz, a Milwaukee landlord, found the artwork while cleaning out an apartment belonging to an evicted tenant. The print was hanging in an unusual spot on the wall, covered in dust.

Is the case still open? Yes. The Milwaukee police department confirmed the case remains open and under active investigation, despite the statute of limitations for theft being typically six years.

How many copies of the Torero print exist? There are only thirty known copies of the Torero print bearing Picasso’s signature, making each authenticated piece particularly valuable to collectors.