Recovered 18th Century Portrait by Giuseppe Ghislandi

In a remarkable turn of events, an 18th-century painting, 'Portrait of a Lady' by Giuseppe Ghislandi, has resurfaced. After being missing for eight decades, the painting was unexpectedly found through an online real estate advertisement.

A federal court in Argentina verified this rediscovery, marking the first time in 80 years that this artwork was shown publicly, in Mar del Plata, a city along Argentina's coast.

The Journey of the Painting

The painting's long absence began during the chaos of World War II when it was stolen. It was unknowingly featured last month on a property listing by a descendant of Friedrich Kadgien, an ex-Nazi official accused of taking the piece from one of Europe's renowned prewar collectors.

Coincidentally, the painting was recognized when a journalist's curiosity catalyzed the investigation into Kadgien's history in Argentina—a country he escaped to after the fall of Nazi Germany. He remained there until his death in 1978.

Investigation and Reclamation

The portrait's reappearance sparked excitement among historians and the descendants of Jacques Goudstikker, a Dutch-Jewish art collector from whom the painting was originally looted. The series of events that led to finding 'Portrait of a Lady' was triggered by an article in a Dutch newspaper, which was subsequently removed online.

The trail led authorities to search the Mar del Plata residence of Patricia Kadgien, where the artwork had been thought to reside, but it was absent.

Legal Actions and future of the Painting

Law enforcement later searched other properties owned by Kadgien's family, uncovering additional pieces that might have also been illicitly obtained in the 1940s. Due to the unfolding investigation, Patricia Kadgien and her spouse were placed under house arrest, facing charges related to tampering with and hiding the artwork.

Authorities received the painting from the couple’s legal team; however, its whereabouts following this exchange remain undisclosed. Expert Ariel Bassano, who contributed to investigating the artwork, reassured it is preserved in a controlled environment and remains in commendable condition given its age, with an estimated date of creation around 1710 and a value of approximately $50,000.