Robles Casas & Campos
A 17th-century painting, it appears looted by the Nazis during World War II, has been identified in a property for sale in the coastal city of Mar del Plata, Argentina.
The artwork, titled Portrait of a Lady, by Italian artist Giuseppe Vittore Ghislandi, was originally part of the collection of Dutch Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, whose gallery was looted following the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands in 1940.
The discovery happened when journalists from the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD) were investigating the whereabouts of looted artworks. While viewing photos of a house for sale on the real estate site Robles Casas & Campos, one reporter recognized the painting hanging above a sofa in the living room. Art experts confirmed that the dimensions and composition of the painting matched historical records of the missing artwork.
The painting is believed to have been acquired by Friedrich Kadgien, financial advisor to Hermann Göring, after the war ended. Kadgien fled to Argentina, where he settled with his family. Following the publication of the images, Argentine police conducted a raid on the property, although the painting was not found. Items such as weapons and prints were seized for investigation.
Marei von Saher, Goudstikker’s heir, has already initiated a formal claim to recover the artwork. She stated that her goal is to retrieve all the artworks stolen from her father-in-law’s collection. Experts warn that this case may be just the tip of the iceberg, as many Nazi fugitives took refuge in Argentina, possibly bringing more looted art with them.
The discovery highlights the importance of continuing the search for lost artworks and the need to hold accountable those who benefited from cultural plunder during the Nazi regime.
