Stolen 1840 Drawing Returned to Gallery; Man Claims He Found Artwork in the Trash

Jun 10, 02:05 PM

Current Headlines: By MARY LOUISE SCHUMACHER

A small drawing by Eugene Delacroix that was quietly stolen off an easel at the DeLind Fine Art gallery nearly two years ago was returned to the gallery Friday night during a posh fete to mark the opening of an Impressionist show.

Just before the reception, a man came into the gallery, at 400 E. Mason St., and told Bill DeLind and gallery director Michael Goforth that he had found the drawing in a trash can with a DeLind tag on it.

He said he'd give it back, for a price, and insisted on "no police," DeLind said. The man said he'd take one of them to the Delacroix, which the men declined, fearing for their safety. Instead, they indicated they'd give him $100 and leave the police out of it if he'd bring it back.

"We were wondering if we'd ever see him again," said DeLind, adding that he and Goforth then had to return to getting ready for one of the most significant openings at the gallery in years. It was a show featuring works by Camille Pissarro, who was influenced by Delacroix, and Pissarro's heirs.

Some time later, with Leila Pissarro, Camille's great- granddaughter, and curators and collectors from around the region gathered, the man returned with what DeLind said was "clearly" the sepia drawing called "Entry of the Crusaders Into Constantinople" by the French romantic painter, a complex composition of a battle scene and a preparatory study for a painting now in the Louvre in Paris.

It was "sensory overload," DeLind said, with "people wanting to buy artworks, the lovely Leila Pissarro, a few important clients. . . and to be handed a priceless art treasure that had been stolen."

The 1840 artwork was appraised for $45,000 and owned by a private collector, who was reimbursed by the gallery's insurance after the theft. It had been on consignment with the gallery for about a week when it was stolen.

DeLind said he would follow up with the insurance company and police. Milwaukee police confirm that the case remains open.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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