Recovery of a Long-Lost Painting

The authorities in Argentina announced on Wednesday that a long-lost painting, looted by the Nazis during the Second World War, was recovered.

Condition of the Painting

The painting, "Portrait of a Lady", is in good condition considering its age, according to art expert Ariel Bassano. Bassano, who supported the Argentine authorities in examining the painting, stated that it was "stored in a special chamber" to protect it.

History of the Painting

The portrait, created by Italian painter Ghislandi in 1710, is valued at around $50,000. It was originally owned by Dutch-Jewish art collector Jacques Goudstikker before he was killed in a shipwreck in 1940. Shortly after Goudstikker’s death, his extensive art collection was looted by the Nazis. The collection was auctioned to Hermann Göring, but it disappeared at the end of the war in 1945.

Discovery of the Stolen Painting

The painting was missing until last month, when it was spotted on the wall in an online real estate listing in the Argentine coastal city of Mar del Plata by Dutch journalists. The journalists were investigating the history of Friedrich Kadgien, a National Socialist lawyer responsible for the administration of confiscated Jewish property in the Third Reich. Kadgien survived the war and escaped to Argentina in 1949, where he lived until 1978.

Investigation and Recovery

The real estate listing, which featured the portrait, was unintentionally uploaded by one of Kadgien’s daughters. Although the listing was quickly removed, it was already published in a Dutch newspaper. The police subsequently raided the Kadgien sisters’ houses, confiscating paintings and engravings suspected of being stolen in the 1940s. Patricia Kadgien and her husband were placed under house arrest until Thursday, accused of hiding the painting.

Community Involvement

According to Argentine state prosecutor Daniel Adler, "it was people from the community, especially journalists, who triggered the investigation." The community played a significant role in the discovery of the painting, and the authorities are grateful for their involvement. The recovered painting is a significant find, and its return is a result of the collaborative efforts of the community and the authorities.