Stolen 2018 Picasso Print Found in Vacant Apartment by Landlord

A rare, signed Pablo Picasso etching titled “Torero,” stolen from a Milwaukee art gallery in 2018, was recovered by a local landlord cleaning out a vacant apartment. Valued between $35,000 and $50,000, the artwork still bore its original gallery appraisal sticker when handed over to police.

The Bottom Line:

• The Recovery: Milwaukee landlord Tim Dertz found the framed Picasso etching hanging in a dusty, neglected spot while clearing out an apartment of someone who had been evicted.
• The Authentication: Bill DeLind confirmed the piece was authentic after police contacted him last week, noting the original 2018 DeLind Fine Art Appraisals sticker remained on the back.
• The Value & Status: Originally appraised at $35,000 to $50,000, the rare print—one of 30 known to exist signed by Picasso—is currently in police possession while insurance claims are resolved.

A Missing Masterpiece Surfaces in a Milwaukee Apartment

For Bill DeLind, the phone call last week brought closure to an art mystery. A Pablo Picasso etching print stolen from his shop in 2018 had finally resurfaced. According to coverage by ABC News, DeLind never thought he would see the piece again.

https://x.com/MetService/status/2088362149265740052

The recovery began when Milwaukee landlord Tim Dertz was clearing out a vacant unit following an eviction. As Dertz told local station WISN-TV, the framed artwork was hanging in an unusual spot and caked with dust. Seeking the opinion of an antique dealer acquaintance, Dertz learned the piece was a Picasso that seemingly matched the one reported stolen by DeLind back in 2018. Dertz promptly turned the artwork over to law enforcement.

Verifying the “Torero” Etching and Its Market Value

When authorities asked DeLind to inspect the recovered artwork, the gallery owner immediately recognized the print. As reported by the New York Post, the physical evidence was unmistakable. The original inventory and appraisal sticker from DeLind Fine Art Appraisals was still affixed to the reverse side of the frame.

Photo: abcnews.com

The piece in question is “Torero,” a rare etching. DeLind noted that it is one of 30 known to exist signed by Picasso. At the time of the 2018 burglary, the piece was appraised at between $35,000 and $50,000. While the base financial value remains steady, DeLind suggests that the story could push its market worth closer to $50,000.

Key Details of the Recovered Picasso Print

Artwork Detail	Recorded Information
Title	“Torero” (Signed Etching)
Rarity	One of 30 known to exist signed by Picasso
Theft Year	2018 from DeLind Fine Art Appraisals
Recovery Year	2026 by a Milwaukee landlord
Appraised Value	$35,000 – $50,000

The Investigation and Ongoing Insurance Claims

Although the artwork has been physically secured, legal and logistical hurdles remain. Law enforcement officials with the Milwaukee Police Department noted that property crimes and thefts typically carry a six-year statute of limitations, though the investigation remains active. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the FBI in Milwaukee declined to comment.

https://x.com/MetService/status/2088398620920049773

According to DeLind, the artwork currently stays with Milwaukee law enforcement while the client who had hired his gallery to sell it sorts out matters with their insurance provider. DeLind mentioned that his former business partner, who passed away in February, had been deeply upset by the 2018 theft and reached out to police annually on the anniversary of the incident to urge them to renew public appeals in hopes of recovering the Picasso. “He would have been over the moon about this,” DeLind said. “It was special to him.”

As authorities sort out the chain of custody and insurance claims, this chapter in art world history highlights how high-value stolen goods occasionally emerge from the most mundane settings. Share your thoughts on this recovery in the comments below.