In 2018, a rare Picasso print was stolen in broad daylight from a Milwaukee art gallery, leaving dealer Bill DeLind convinced it was lost forever. Eight years later, the artwork has resurfaced in an unexpected place—a vacant apartment—and has been returned to its rightful owner.
The print, titled Torero, is one of only 30 signed by Picasso and was valued at upwards of $50,000 (€43,000) at the time of the theft. It had been commissioned for sale through DeLind's gallery, DeLind Fine Art Appraisals.
The recovery came after a local landlord, Tim Dertz, discovered the framed print while clearing out an apartment whose tenant had been evicted and left belongings behind. Dertz told local television station WISN that the artwork was hanging in an unusual spot: "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."
After showing the piece to a friend who worked as an antique dealer, Dertz was told it appeared to be the Picasso that had been reported stolen. He handed it over to police, who then contacted DeLind.
A personal loss, a joyful reunion
When DeLind received the call from Milwaukee police, he was overcome. "When they called me, I was in disbelief," he said. "I was at a loss for words. It was an overwhelming moment for me."
DeLind confirmed the artwork was his: "It was indeed mine. It came back full circle."
The theft had been a deeply personal blow. "When it disappeared, it was such a sort of personal insult. This just made me feel so bad," DeLind said. "So it was just the opposite when it came back. It's like, there are good people in the world."
DeLind also recalled that his former business partner, who died in February, had been distraught over the theft. He called police every year on the anniversary of the crime, asking them to publicise it again in the hope the Picasso would be found. "He would have been over the moon about this," DeLind said. "It was special to him."
The recovery of the Torero print is a rare happy ending in the world of art crime, where stolen works often vanish for decades or are never recovered. The case echoes other recent successes, such as the recovery of stolen Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse works in Italy, highlighting the persistent efforts of law enforcement and the art community to reunite masterpieces with their owners.
While the Milwaukee case is a US story, it resonates across the Atlantic, where European galleries and collectors face similar risks. The art market is global, and the theft and recovery of works by masters like Picasso are of interest to audiences in Paris, London, and beyond. The Torero print, created by the Spanish artist, is a piece of European cultural heritage that has now been saved from obscurity.
DeLind expressed gratitude for the honest actions of Dertz and the police. "It's like, there are good people in the world," he said, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events.
The print will now be returned to DeLind's gallery, where it will likely be offered for sale once again, with its remarkable story adding to its provenance.
