Police in Argentina have recovered an 18th-century painting that was looted by the Nazis in the Second World War, after its mysterious appearance in a real estate advertisement.
Portrait of a Lady by Giuseppe Ghislandi, an Italian baroque portraitist, had not been seen publicly for more than 80 years since it was taken from Jacques Goudstikker, a Jewish art collector, in Amsterdam in 1940.
The painting, which features the Italian countess Colleoni, resurfaced last month in a photograph in an online listing for a villa for sale in Argentina’s coastal town of Mar del Plata – but disappeared again after the sighting was reported to police.
The villa is owned by Patricia Kadgien, one of the daughters of Friedrich Kadgien who was a senior Nazi financier, SS officer and an aide to Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring.
The portrait was seen hanging above a velvet sofa in the living room of a villa for sale in Mar del Plata – Robles Casas & Campos
Dutch journalists made the discovery while investigating Kadgien’s past in Argentina, where the high-ranking official fled after the collapse of the Third Reich and later died in 1978.
News of the sighting thrilled historians and the family of Mr Goudstikker who have sought to recover an estimated 1,100 paintings missing since the forced sale of his extensive art collection to Göring. Mr Goudstikker, who helped Jews fleeing Nazi oppression, died at sea while escaping to Britain in 1940.
Police raided Ms Kadgien’s home last week to recover the painting, but could not find Portrait of a Lady.
Argentine officials announced on Wednesday that her lawyer had since handed over the missing work.
Police raided the villa but the painting was not there
Ariel Bassano, an art expert invited to assist with the investigation, said the painting was being “stored in a special chamber” for safekeeping.
“It’s in good condition given its age,” Mr Bassano said, dating the portrait to 1710 and valuing it at roughly £38,000.
“But historical reasons could also give the piece a value.
“It also depends on its state of preservation, the collection it belongs to, and the size of the work. The size of a painting ultimately has an impact on the market.”
Researchers revealed last week that they had seen another of Mr Goudstikker’s looted paintings, by Abraham Mignon, a 17th century Dutch still-life painter, on a social media page belonging to Kadgien’s other daughter.
Friedrich Kadgien acted as Hermann Göring’s right-hand man
Police confirmed on Wednesday that they had seized multiple paintings and engravings from four properties connected to the Kadgien sisters, and were investigating whether those work were also stolen.
Ms Kadgien and her husband were placed under house arrest ahead of a hearing on Thursday on charges of concealment and obstruction of justice.
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