Rare Picasso stolen from downtown Milwaukee art appraiser

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Police confirm to CBS 58 they are investigating a report of art theft that happened on Friday.

The artwork, identified as Torero (Bullfighter) an aquatint etching created by Pablo Picasso in 1949, was stolen from DeLind Fine Art Appraisals L.L.C. near Jefferson and Mason Streets in downtown Milwaukee.

One of the partners of the appraisal firm said they noticed the Picasso was missing Friday as they were leaving and called police. The rare piece is worth between $35,000 to $45,000.Partner Bill DeLind said the artwork was located in the lobby of their building. The piece did not have a price or artist name attached to it. 

"This is intentional. We didn't want to attract someone who was just looking at values," DeLind said. "Somebody either knew what they were doing or just got lucky."

DeLind has contacted museums and art galleries all over the country to notify them of the stolen artwork. DeLind hopes by spreading the word, Picasso's artwork will return.