Milwaukee police announced the recovery of a rare signed Pablo Picasso etching that had been missing for nearly a decade. The artwork, an original 1949 print titled “Torero,” was reported stolen from Bill DeLind’s gallery on North Jefferson Street on Feb. 16, 2018.

How the print resurfaced

On Aug. 5, 2026, Tim Dertz, a landlord in the Bay View neighborhood, found the framed etching hanging on a wall of a vacant apartment he was clearing after an eviction. Dertz said the piece was covered in dust, suggesting it had been there for a long time. He showed the work to a friend who dealt in antiques; the friend immediately recognized it as a Picasso and suspected it might be the missing “Torero.”

Following that tip, Dertz turned the print over to the Milwaukee Police Department’s District Four. An authenticator confirmed the piece the next day, and the department contacted Bill DeLind, the gallery owner who had reported the theft.

Owner’s reaction

DeLind, who runs DeLind Fine Art Appraisals, recognized the etching at once. He explained that the print is one of only 30 known copies signed by Picasso, and that his appraisal sticker was still attached to the back of the frame. “I was overwhelmed,” DeLind said. “It was indeed mine. It came back full circle.”

When the work was stolen, it was appraised at $35,000‑$50,000. DeLind believes the value may now be closer to $50,000, given the story behind its recovery. The artwork remains in police custody while the client who commissioned the piece works through insurance matters.

Legal context

Milwaukee police noted that the statute of limitations for theft and property crimes in Wisconsin is generally six years, but the investigation remains open. DeLind’s former business partner, who passed away in February, had been devastated by the 2018 theft and called police each anniversary in hopes of renewed publicity.

The recovery highlights the role of community members in safeguarding cultural heritage. The police department thanked Dertz for recognizing the significance of the etching and doing the right thing by turning it over.

About the artwork

“Torero” depicts a bullfighter and is a celebrated work by the Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso, who died in 1973 at age 91. The signed print is prized by collectors for its rarity and the artist’s personal signature.

This case underscores how local vigilance can resolve long‑standing crimes and return priceless art to its rightful owners.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.