A painting owned by a Dutch Jewish art dealer, Jacques Goudstikker, was recovered after being seen in an Argentinian real estate listing. Photo by Gemeente Archif/EPA
Authorities have recovered an 18th-century painting seen in a real estate ad that was stolen over 80 years ago by Nazis from a Jewish art dealer in Amsterdam.
A lawyer for Patricia Kadgien, daughter of Nazi financier Friedrich Kadgien, turned in the painting Portrait of a Lady (Contessa Colleoni) after a raid of the home in the listing did not turn up the artwork.
Kadgien and her husband were placed under house arrest on Tuesday following the raid.
The couple is expected to appear for a hearing on Thursday, where they could be charged with concealment of theft in the context of genocide.
They have argued that they rightfully own the artwork through inheritance.
Art expert Ariel Bassano noted that the artwork was “in good condition for its age, as it dates from 1710,” valuing it at around “$50,000,’ he added.
Four more properties were searched in the hunt for the painting, throughout these searches, two paintings and a series of drawings and engravings were found at Kadgien’s sister’s home.
The portrait was a part of 1,000 works owned by a Dutch Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker that were stolen by Nazis.
His daughter-in-law, Marei Von Saher, said she “aims to bring back every single artwork robbed from Jacques’ collection, and to restore his legacy”.
As of 2006, she is in possession of 202 pieces.
