Nazi-looted painting possibly discovered in Argentine real estate listing
- An 18th-century artwork reportedly belonging to Jacques Goudstikker was spotted in a coastal Argentinian home.
- The painting, identified as Portrait of a Lady, was once part of a vast collection seized by the Nazis.
- This discovery has prompted investigations into the whereabouts of looted art and the implications for restitution.
In recent events in Argentina, a potential discovery of a painting stolen during World War II has brought attention to a long-standing issue of Nazi-looted art. The painting, known as Portrait of a Lady by Giuseppe Vittore Ghislandi, originally belonged to Jacques Goudstikker, a Dutch-Jewish art dealer whose extensive collection was seized after the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940. Dutch investigative journalists from Algemeen Dagblad have been pursuing the case for nearly a decade and recently spotted the painting hanging in a home listed for sale in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The 18th-century artwork was identified during a routine examination of photos on a real estate listing, which has drawn the attention of international authorities. Following this discovery, Argentine police conducted a raid on the property associated with the potential heirs of a Nazi fugitive, Friedrich Kadgien, who settled in Argentina after the war. Unfortunately, the painting was not located during the raid, though officers did seize other items that might be relevant to the investigation. The case has revived discussions surrounding the fate of stolen artworks and the legacy of Nazi criminals who found refuge in Argentina, particularly under the regime of Juan Perón. The painting’s original documentation indicates that it changed hands illegally after Goudstikker's gallery was overtaken. The investigation not only serves as a means to locate and potentially restitute stolen artworks, but also highlights the broader implications of wartime plunder that continue to affect families and descendants long after the conflict has ended. As the inquiry moves forward, it raises significant legal and ethical questions about the restitution of art to rightful owners and the obligations of countries that sheltered Nazi fugitives post-war. The sole heir of Goudstikker's estate, Marei von Saher, has been actively seeking the return of her father's looted artworks, and notable art experts have expressed their hopes that the investigation would yield productive outcomes. This discovery underscores the complexities surrounding historical injustices and how they are addressed in contemporary society.