Argentina's law enforcement officials retrieve a painting plundered by Nazis
In a remarkable turn of events, a painting that was stolen from a Dutch Jewish art collector in the 18th century has been returned to its rightful owners. The artwork, "Portrait of a Lady" by Giuseppe Ghislandi, was discovered last week by Dutch journalist Peter Schouten in photographs of a house for sale in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
The painting was among over 1,000 artworks stolen from the collection of Amsterdam art dealer Jacques Goudstikker after the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands in 1940. Goudstikker, who fled the Netherlands days after the invasion, left behind an extensive art collection that included the Ghislandi painting.
Schouten noticed a for-sale sign and found the painting in a photo of the house's interior after searching online property ads. His discovery led to official institutions confirming that it was indeed "Portrait of a Lady" by Giuseppe Ghislandi. Art expert Ariel Bassano stated that the painting is in good condition for its age, dating from 1710.
The painting was initially in the possession of Patricia Kadgien, the daughter of a senior SS officer. Kadgien and her husband were placed under house arrest after several failed police searches for the portrait. However, they returned the painting to the authorities only after a comprehensive search because the couple was initially placed under house arrest for concealment and obstruction of justice, and the painting was recovered during investigations into how it came into their possession after being stolen by the Nazis.
The couple admitted in a court filing that they owned the artwork and believed any lawsuit over its ownership would fall under the statute of limitations. Prosecutors announced that the painting was returned after a major hunt for it. Argentine police went to raid the premises after being tipped off about the property ad but found no trace of the artwork.
The investigation arose from Schouten's interest in Kadgien's father due to news stories about him in the Netherlands about ten years ago. Dutch journalist Peter Schouten visited Patricia Kadgien's home during an investigation into her father's past. Schouten's discovery of the painting has shed light on the extensive art collection that was stolen during the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands and the efforts being made to recover these valuable pieces of history.
Many other works from Goudstikker's collection remain scattered around the globe. Top German officials, led by Gestapo founder Hermann Goering, divvied up Goudstikker's art collection during the war. After the war, the Dutch state retrieved about 300 works from Goudstikker's collection, most of which it later returned to his heirs. The return of the "Portrait of a Lady" by Giuseppe Ghislandi is a significant step towards reuniting the stolen artworks with their rightful owners.
The value of the painting was estimated to be around $50,000 by Ariel Bassano. The return of this artwork is a testament to the power of journalism and the dedication of investigators in bringing justice and closure to the families of the original owners. The "Portrait of a Lady" by Giuseppe Ghislandi, which has been missing for eight decades, is now back where it belongs.
