In a remarkable turn of events, a painting stolen by Nazis from a Jewish art dealer in Amsterdam has been spotted in an estate agent's listing for a house in Argentina, over eight decades since its disappearance.
The painting, known as 'Portrait of a Lady' by Italian artist Giuseppe Ghislandi, was photographed hanging above a sofa in a residence near Buenos Aires. This house was previously owned by a senior Nazi official who fled to South America post-World War II.
The artwork, which is cataloged on a database of lost wartime art, was traced following the advertisement posted by the official’s daughter, as reported by Dutch newspaper AD.
This painting is part of hundreds of artworks looted from Jacques Goudstikker, a Jewish art dealer who played a role in helping other Jews escape during the war.
Goudstikker mysteriously died during an escape attempt across the sea, and over 1,100 works from his collection were forcibly sold to high-ranking Nazis after his death, including Hermann Göring.
The investigation into the looted painting indicates that it was likely in the possession of Friedrich Kadgien, an SS officer who was involved in Nazi operations and later became a businessman in Brazil and Argentina.
Despite efforts to contact Kadgien's daughters about the missing artworks, they have not cooperated with the inquiry. However, as one daughter listed the home for sale, experts noticed the painting in the promotional material.
Annelies Kool and Perry Schrier, representatives of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), stated that there is no indication suggesting the painting is a replica.
Lawyers representing Goudstikker's estate have expressed their determination to reclaim the painting alongside a promise from the heiress, Marei von Saher, to restore her father-in-law's legacy and recover all stolen items from his collection.
This instance serves as a poignant reminder of the art theft that occurred during the war and continues to resonate today.
