Stolen Nazi Painting Possibly Retrieved from Argentine Residence
In a significant development, Argentine authorities believe they have recovered a Nazi-looted painting, "Portrait of a Lady" by Giuseppe Vittore Ghislandi, which was found in a real estate listing for a home in Mar del Plata. The home belongs to Patricia Kadgien, the daughter of a Nazi official.
The painting, associated with the Italian Baroque movement, once belonged to Jewish dealer Jacques Goudstikker, who fled Amsterdam amid the rise of the Nazis and tragically died in an accident shortly thereafter. The painting is listed as "missing" in a registry of lost art.
The English-language press and local Argentine outlets like El Diario del Mar del Plata and La Nacion, Argentina's paper of record, have reported on the investigation. Kadgien, the owner of the suspected stolen artwork, asserts she is the rightful owner of the work, having inherited it. However, the painting was later returned to the heirs of the original Jewish owner, Jacques Goudstikker.
The recovery of the painting is related to the Nazi-era art looting. The investigation was initiated after a report by Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad. On Tuesday, reports emerged that Kadgien and her husband were placed under house arrest, although no new information about this or accusations of obstructing the investigation was provided.
Police conducted raids in the neighbourhood surrounding the home, and the painting, now in Kadgien's possession, was reported to have been turned over to the Civil Court. Kadgien and her husband have been accused of obstructing the investigation.
Jacques Goudstikker's collection featured works by Old Masters painters. Some of these works have been returned to his heirs by international museums in the past couple of decades. The recovery of this painting is a testament to the ongoing efforts to restore stolen art to its rightful owners.
