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Stolen Picasso sketches return to 'U' Museum art collections

Two sketches by Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore will make their first appearance in 29 years at the University's Museum of Art today.

Moore's 1929 ink and wash drawing, "Study of a Seated Figure," and Picasso's ink drawing, "Sketches From a Window," will be delivered to the museum at 1:30 p.m. by FBI agents from the Ann Arbor Bureau and members of the University Department of Public Safety.

The drawings were stolen from Delta College in Bay County, Mich., in the summer of 1967 during a traveling exhibition. The thefts have since been under investigation.

The drawings were recovered by FBI officials late last month from a private Los Angeles home when a woman attempted to sell the Henry Moore piece to a major consignment agency in California.

"Seeing the drawings returned to the University after almost 30 years is very exciting for us," said Leo Heatley, DPS director, in a written statement. "We are grateful to Ann Arbor FBI agent Greg Stejskal and his colleagues in Los Angeles who made this possible."

William Hennessey, director of the University's Museum of Art, said he shared Heatley's excitement.

"We look forward to placing the drawings on display very soon so that the people of Michigan can enjoy them," Hennessey said yesterday.

However, Hennessey said the museum has not yet set a date for the display of the drawings, because of the unknown conditions of the pieces.

"We have to take a look to see if they need any special conservation or reframing, before deciding on a date for a `welcome-home' exhibition," Hennessey said.

The two pieces of art, valued at approximately $100,000 each, will add to the museum's extensive collections. However, Hennessey said he feels increased security is unnecessary.

"It is very important to note that the sketches were not stolen from the museum," Hennessey said. "We are very proud of our security system and have never had anything stolen."