Nazi Daughter Accused of Hiding Art Theft from the 1970s, Faces Charges in Argentina

In a significant development, a long-lost painting titled "Portrait of a Lady" by Giuseppe Ghislandi has been discovered in the Argentine seaside resort of Mar del Plata. The painting, reportedly stolen during World War II, is believed to be worth around $50,000 today.

The artwork had been missing for eight decades before its discovery. It was part of the collection of Jacques Goudstikker, a Dutch art dealer who died in 1940 while fleeing the Netherlands. The collection was divided among top German officials, including Hermann Goering, during the war.

The painting was found in the home of a daughter of a Nazi officer, Friedrich Kadgien. Kadgien, a financial adviser to Adolf Hitler, was placed in charge of moving the plunder to South America. Kadgien fled to Argentina after the war and died there in 1978.

The daughter and son-in-law of Kadgien were charged in an Argentine court for concealing numerous works of art. Among the hidden works, there were 22 paintings by French painter Henri Matisse. The couple appeared in court on Sept. 4.

The discovery of the painting was made after it was spotted in an Argentine property ad. The pair came into the spotlight due to the disappearance of a painting stolen from a Dutch art collector.

Other works, whose origins have yet to be determined, were also found in Mar del Plata. The police conducted multiple raids in search of the painting. The Ghislandi painting "Portrait of a Lady" was handed over by Patricia Kadgien, 58, and her 60-year-old husband.

It is important to note that the German officials responsible for the distribution of Jacques Goudstikker's collection and the relocation of the "Gelöschten" to South America were part of the Nazi regime's art looting apparatus. However, specific names are not detailed in the provided information.

This discovery is a testament to the ongoing efforts to recover stolen artworks from World War II. The return of these priceless pieces to their rightful owners not only restores their cultural significance but also serves as a reminder of the dark history they represent.