Argentine police have recovered an 18th-century painting stolen from Dutch Jewish art collector Jacques Goudstikker during World War II. The artwork, Portrait of a Lady by Italian baroque artist Giuseppe Ghislandi, was returned after appearing in a property advertisement.
The painting had been photographed in the home of Patricia Kadgien, daughter of senior SS officer Friedrich Kadgien, who fled to Argentina after the war. According to prosecutors, the artwork was handed over by Kadgien’s lawyer.
Art expert Ariel Bassano, who worked on the case, confirmed the painting is in good condition despite its age, dating back to 1710. He estimated its value at around $50,000, as reported by La Capital Mar del Plata newspaper.
The painting was first recognized last week by Dutch newspaper AD in photos of a house for sale in Mar del Plata. It showed the portrait of a noblewoman hanging above a green sofa in Kadgien’s living room.
Portrait of a Lady was one of more than 1,000 artworks stolen from Goudstikker’s collection by the Nazis. Its discovery generated excitement both in the Netherlands and in Argentina.
However, the artwork disappeared again shortly after identification. When Argentine police attempted to seize it, the painting could not be found. Authorities subsequently placed Kadgien and her husband under house arrest on Tuesday, following several failed searches.
The recovery of this painting highlights ongoing efforts by Argentine police and international investigators to return looted artworks to their rightful owners. The case also underscores the enduring impact of World War II-era art thefts and the challenges in tracking stolen treasures decades later.
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