San Diego

An $80,000 Norman Rockwell painting stolen six months ago from a Point Loma college was discovered Wednesday behind furniture in a Hillcrest home. The piece once graced the cover of the Saturday Evening Post.

Working on an anonymous tip, San Diego police found the painting, “Cramming,” at a home on Falcon Street.

“The painting was being protected by a plastic-type material so it wasn’t damaged,” police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

Police declined to provide details about their investigation, which is continuing, but Robinson said, “We have spoken to the individual who lived there, and although no arrests have been made, we feel the subject had some knowledge of the case.”

He said the individual’s fingerprints have been taken.

The artwork was reported missing Feb. 25 from Ryan Library at Point Loma Nazarene College.

“We’re extremely happy the recovery was made,” said Howard Bergherm, the school’s personnel director. “We had lost hope of ever seeing it again.”

Bergherm said the painting will be displayed on campus again and extra security measures have been taken.

“We’re very proud of the painting,” he said.

The painting appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on June 13, 1931. It depicts two college students studying intently for exams, with textbooks and a coffee pot at hand.