Full Breakdown
Rare Picasso Etching Recovered After Years-Long Theft
8/25/2026, 4:28:09 AM
Core Event: Stolen “Torero” Print Found in Milwaukee Apartment
A 1949 etching titled “Torero” by Pablo Picasso, one of only 30 signed copies, was recovered after being missing since a theft from a Milwaukee gallery in mid-February 2018. A landlord cleaning a vacant Bay View apartment discovered the print hanging on a wall, recognized it as the missing work, and turned it over to the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). An authenticator subsequently confirmed it was the stolen piece, and the artwork is now in police custody while ownership and insurance matters are resolved.
Background & Context
The original theft occurred at a gallery on North Jefferson Street in Milwaukee. The print had been appraised at $35,000–$50,000 at the time of the theft. Bill DeLind, owner of DeLind Fine Art Appraisals, and his late business partner had repeatedly urged police to keep the case public, contacting authorities each anniversary of the crime.
Data & Statistics
- Known signed copies of “Torero”: 30.
- Appraised value at time of theft: $35,000–$50,000.
- Current estimated value: likely near the upper end of that range, given the story surrounding its recovery.
Official Statements & Responses
- The MPD released a statement expressing gratitude to the community member who recognized the print and returned it, emphasizing collaborative policing.
- Bill DeLind described the recovery as “overwhelming” and said the artwork “came back full circle.” He noted that the DeLind Fine Art Appraisals sticker remained on the frame, confirming provenance.
- The landlord, Tim Dertz, said the print appeared to have been in the apartment for a long time, covered in dust, and that he promptly handed it to police after an antique-dealer friend identified it as the missing Picasso.
On-the-Ground Report
Tim Dertz discovered the etching while clearing out the unit after an eviction. After consulting an antique-dealer acquaintance, Dertz delivered the artwork to MPD District Four, initiating the authentication process.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the year the print was turned in to police. Some reports place the recovery in early August 2024, six years after the 2018 theft, while others cite August 2026. No additional details about the circumstances of the original theft have been released, and the investigation remains officially open despite the statute of limitations for theft generally being six years.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was kind of in a weird spot hanging on a wall,” — Tim Dertz, landlord “It was kind of in a weird spot hanging on a wall,” — Tim Dertz
- “It looked like it had been there a long time because it had tons of dust across the top of it,” — Tim Dertz, landlord “It looked like it had been there a long time because it had tons of dust across the top of it,” — Tim Dertz
