Argentina to return Nazi-looted painting to Jewish gallery owner’s heir after chance discovery in property listing

An 18th-century painting stolen by the Nazis was found almost by chance in a photograph from a real-estate listing in Argentina. A federal court has now ordered its return to the sole heir of the Jewish Dutch art dealer whose collection was looted.

The painting, “Portrait of a Lady” by Italian artist Giacomo Ceruti, was discovered last year in a photograph advertising a house in Mar del Plata. A Dutch newspaper noticed the missing work in the image. Argentine authorities then conducted searches and recovered the painting.

The work had been held by Patricia Kadgien, the daughter of former Nazi official Friedrich Kadgien, and her husband, Juan Carlos Cortegoso. The couple were charged with handling stolen goods last September and placed under house arrest. The court’s decision followed an agreement between the parties.

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I will order the painting returned to the heir.

Under the agreement, the couple accepted the return of the painting to Marei von Saher, Jacques Goudstikker’s daughter-in-law and sole heir, and abandoned any legal claim to it. They also agreed to donate 4.8 million pesos, about 2,200 euros, to local hospitals.

Federal prosecutor Carlos Martinez said the defendants had essentially committed to giving up all rights to the work, which would return to the gallery owner’s family. He said the painting was in good condition and that expert examinations had confirmed its authenticity. The defense initially argued that the offense was time-barred, but crimes committed as part of genocide are not subject to limitation under Argentine law and international law.

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The defendants essentially committed to renouncing any rights to the painting that will be returned to the gallery owner’s family.