A historic painting looted by the Nazis almost 80 years ago has been recovered in Argentina, authorities confirmed. The artwork resurfaced following international investigations and coordinated raids.
The painting, a portrait of a woman by Italian artist Giuseppe Ghislandi (1655–1743), had been missing since World War II. It was recently spotted in a real estate advertisement, which led officials to track its location in Argentina.
Originally, the artwork belonged to Friedrich Kadgien, a financial adviser to Hermann Göring, a senior Nazi SS officer. Kadgien relocated to South America after the war, bringing the painting with him.
Last month, the portrait was seen hanging above a sofa in a house in Mar del Plata, roughly 400 kilometers south of Buenos Aires. The real estate listing brought renewed attention to the artwork, prompting a search and legal proceedings.
The painting had also been listed in a wartime lost art database, according to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. Kadgien’s daughter had placed the property advertisement, but when authorities searched the house, the painting was initially missing.
Officials have hailed the recovery as a significant achievement in restoring stolen art to its rightful historical record. The case illustrates the importance of international collaboration and lost art databases in tracing Nazi-looted artwork.
The return of the painting underscores decades-long efforts to recover cultural property stolen during the Nazi era. Its recovery in Argentina marks a milestone in ongoing initiatives to repatriate looted art and preserve historical heritage.
Experts noted that the case also serves as a reminder of the widespread plunder carried out during World War II and the persistent work needed to locate and reclaim missing artworks.
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