A long-lost painting looted decades ago in Nazi-occupied Europe has been recovered in Argentina, officials have said. 'Portrait of a Lady', by Italian master Giuseppe Ghislandi, had been missing for 80 years before it was spotted last month on an estate agent's website, showing it hanging in a house that had belonged to the daughter of a Nazi fugitive. Patricia Kadgien's late father, Friedrich, was a top adviser to Hermann Goring, Adolf Hitler's deputy, who plundered countless works from across Europe.
The artwork has now been returned by Kadgien's lawyer after a search initially failed to locate it. Kadgien and her husband were placed under house arrest for allegedly obstructing the investigation. The artwork is believed to be in good condition, valued at approximately $50,000. Its recovery has opened avenues for further investigations of other potentially stolen artworks linked to Kadgien's family.
This painting is part of a larger collection that belonged to Amsterdam art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, who was forced to sell his artworks under Nazi pressure. The story behind this painting’s disappearance and reappearance raises important dialogues about art theft and restitution in the context of historical injustices.
The artwork has now been returned by Kadgien's lawyer after a search initially failed to locate it. Kadgien and her husband were placed under house arrest for allegedly obstructing the investigation. The artwork is believed to be in good condition, valued at approximately $50,000. Its recovery has opened avenues for further investigations of other potentially stolen artworks linked to Kadgien's family.
This painting is part of a larger collection that belonged to Amsterdam art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, who was forced to sell his artworks under Nazi pressure. The story behind this painting’s disappearance and reappearance raises important dialogues about art theft and restitution in the context of historical injustices.
