An Italian master painting stolen by the Nazis from a Jewish art dealer in Amsterdam has been spotted on the website of an estate agent selling a house in Argentina, more than 80 years after it was taken.
A photo shows 'Portrait of a Lady' by Giuseppe Ghislandi hanging above a sofa inside a property near Buenos Aires once owned by a senior Nazi official who moved to South America after the Second World War.
The painting, which features on a database of lost wartime art, was traced after the house was put up for sale by the official's daughter, as reported by Dutch newspaper AD.
The artwork is among hundreds looted from art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, who helped other Jews escape during the war.
Goudstikker died at sea in an accident escaping the Netherlands and is buried in England. Over 1,100 works from his collection were forcibly sold by senior Nazis after his death, including Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring.
AD's investigation revealed that the 'Portrait of a Lady' had documents suggesting it was in the possession of Friedrich Kadgien, an SS officer closely associated with Göring, who later fled to Argentina.
Despite numerous failed attempts over the years to speak to the daughters of Kadgien regarding their father's collection, a breakthrough occurred when one daughter listed the house for sale.
Authorities from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands confirmed reviewing the painting and stated, There is no reason to think this could be a copy. They are now engaged in efforts for reclaiming the artwork to reinstate it to Goudstikker’s legacy.
Jacques Goudstikker's descendants are determined to reclaim every single artwork looted from his collection, advocating for the return of the lost cultural heritage.
