Nazi-Looted Painting Recovered in Argentina After 80 Years

An 18th-century Italian painting stolen by the Nazis during the Second World War has been recovered in Argentina, more than eight decades after it vanished.

Portrait of a Lady (Contessa Colleoni), painted in 1710 by Giuseppe Ghislandi, was part of the collection of Dutch-Jewish dealer Jacques Goudstikker, whose works were forcibly sold after his death in 1940 to Hermann Goring.

The painting resurfaced last month when Dutch journalists spotted it in an online property listing for a house in Mar del Plata. The home belonged to Patricia Kadgien, daughter of Nazi financier Friedrich Kadgien, who fled to South America after the war.

Federal prosecutors confirmed the portrait was later handed over by Kadgien’s lawyer. Kadgien and her husband have been placed under house arrest and face charges of concealment and obstruction of justice.

Prosecutor Daniel Adler praised the public’s role in the find, saying: “It was people from the community, specifically journalists, who prompted the investigation.”

Experts have valued the work at approximately $50 000. Goudstikker’s heirs, who continue to reclaim looted pieces from his collection of more than 1 000 works, are expected to pursue its restitution.

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