Painting looted by Nazis recovered in Argentina

Argentine authorities have recovered a painting looted by Nazis during World War II, which had been missing for 80 years. The artwork, “Portrait of a Lady” by Giuseppe Ghislandi, was discovered after it appeared in a real estate listing online. The painting was officially recovered on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, following an investigation sparked by its sighting in an advertisement for a property belonging to the daughter of a Nazi fugitive. This recovery marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to return art stolen during the Holocaust to its rightful owners. “Portrait of a Lady” is an 18th-century masterpiece by Italian artist Giuseppe Ghislandi, estimated to be worth around $50,000. It was originally part of the collection of Jacques Goudstikker, a Dutch Jewish art dealer whose assets were forcibly taken by the Nazis after his death in 1940. The painting is listed on databases of art looted during World War II. The discovery was made in August 2025 when the painting was spotted in a photo on an estate agent’s website. The property was owned by Patricia Kadgien, whose father, Friedrich Kadgien, was a high-ranking adviser to Hermann Göring, Adolf Hitler’s deputy. Göring was known for plundering thousands of artworks across Europe. Argentine federal prosecutors led the operation to recover the painting. After initial searches failed to locate it, the artwork was eventually returned by Ms. Kadgien’s lawyer. Ms. Kadgien and her husband were placed under house arrest for allegedly obstructing the investigation and are scheduled to face a hearing on charges related to concealment of theft in the context of genocide. During the investigation, raids at other properties linked to the Kadgien family uncovered additional artworks, including two paintings and a series of drawings and engravings from the 19th century. These items are now being analyzed to determine if they were also stolen during the war, potentially expanding the scope of the recovery efforts. The recovery of this painting is part of a broader international movement to address the legacy of Nazi-looted art. Marei von Saher, the daughter-in-law and heir of Jacques Goudstikker, has been actively seeking to reclaim stolen artworks. In 2006, she successfully recovered 202 pieces, and this latest find adds to that achievement. The painting is reported to be in good condition despite its age. It will likely be returned to the Netherlands or to the Goudstikker heirs, continuing the process of restitution. The legal proceedings against the Kadgien couple will determine their involvement, highlighting the ongoing challenges in recovering looted art decades after the events.