Picasso etching stolen in 2018 found in vacant apartment after landlord’s discovery

A Picasso etching that was reported stolen from a Milwaukee art gallery in 2018 has been recovered, according to a report from Mint. The artwork was discovered by a landlord in a vacant apartment, bringing an unexpected conclusion to a theft investigation that had remained open for six years.

The discovery occurred when the landlord entered the dust-covered unit to prepare it for new tenants. Upon finding the piece, which had been missing since the 2018 burglary, the landlord contacted local authorities. The etching, which had been the subject of a long-standing search by law enforcement, was subsequently secured and verified by officials.

While the investigation into the original theft remains active, the recovery of the etching provides a significant breakthrough for investigators. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the identity of the previous tenants or how the artwork ended up in the vacant property, citing the ongoing nature of the case. The piece is expected to be returned to the gallery following the completion of forensic processing.