An 18th-century portrait that disappeared during the Nazi era has been ordered back to the heir of its original owner after resurfacing in an unexpected place: a property listing in Argentina.
The work, widely attributed to Giuseppe Ghislandi, once belonged to Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, whose collection was taken under pressure after he fled Amsterdam in 1940. Decades later, the painting appeared in a home listing connected to the family of Friedrich Kadgien, a former SS officer who later lived in Argentina.
Once the artwork was identified, the listing was removed and investigators moved in. Authorities later said the painting was no longer in the house, where a tapestry had replaced the space where it had hung. Federal prosecutors then opened a case, while Patricia Kadgien claimed ownership of the piece.
According to the agreement announced by Judge Santiago Inchausti, the painting will be returned to Marei von Saher, Goudstikker's daughter-in-law and sole heir. The Kadgien family also agreed to make a donation to local hospitals.
Goudstikker's collection was one of the most significant private holdings of Old Masters in Europe, and parts of it have been recovered over time. Yet many works remain missing, making each restitution a meaningful step in restoring cultural memory. This case underscores how digital records and provenance research may shape the future of art recovery worldwide.
