Argentina Orders Return of Nazi-Looted Painting Found at Daughter of Nazi Official's Home
On September 4, 2025, the Argentine judiciary mandated the return of the 18th-century artwork "Portrait of a Lady" to Marei von Saher, the descendant of Dutch Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker. This painting was seized by Nazis during World War II and later discovered in the residence of Patricia Kadgien after Dutch journalist Cyril Rosman identified it in a property listing. Kadgien and her spouse, Juan Carlos Cortegoso, faced charges for possessing stolen property, resulting in their house arrest. They relinquished their claims to the painting and agreed to contribute 4.8 million pesos to local hospitals. The artwork, now attributed to Giacomo Ceruti, is estimated to be worth around 250,000 euros and will be loaned to the Holocaust Museum in Buenos Aires.
Key facts
- Argentine justice ordered restitution of 'Portrait of a Lady' to Marei von Saher on September 4, 2025.
- Painting discovered in home of Patricia Kadgien, daughter of Nazi official Friedrich Kadgien.
- Dutch journalist Cyril Rosman recognized the painting in a real estate listing.
- Painting attributed to Giacomo Ceruti (1698–1767), valued at ~250,000 euros.
- Kadgien and husband Juan Carlos Cortegoso indicted for receiving stolen goods; will pay 4.8 million pesos to hospitals.
- Painting looted from Jacques Goudstikker's collection of over 1,200 works after 1940 German invasion.
- Argentine court ruled crimes related to genocide are imprescriptible.
- Marei von Saher plans to lend painting to Holocaust Museum in Buenos Aires for at least a year.
Entities
Artists
- Giacomo Ceruti
- Giuseppe Ghislandi (Fra Galgario)
- Giuseppe Vittore Ghislandi
- Giacomo Antonio Melchiorre Ceruti
- Jacques Goudstikker
Institutions
- Algemeen Dagblad
- Holocaust Museum of Buenos Aires
- Argentine Supreme Court
- Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed
- Académie nationale des beaux-arts d'Argentine
- Le Journal des Arts
- Argentine government
- La Nación
Locations
- Argentina
- Mar del Plata
- Buenos Aires
- Netherlands
- United States
- Amsterdam
- South America