The Lost Portrait: How a Nazi-Looted Masterpiece Was Found in Argentina After 80 Years
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Photo courtesy of New York Times
Missing for more than 80 years, an 18th century painting called Portrait of a Lady was recovered in Argentina.
The painting was created by Italian artist Giuseppe Ghislandi, also known as Fra Galgario, around 1710.
Interesting Facts about Portrait of a Lady:
The painting is sometimes referred to as Contessa Colleoni.
The eyes in the portrait appear to follow viewers, a technique used by Fra Galgario to make his subjects look lifelike.
The Paintings History:
The painting originally belonged to Jacques Goudstikker, a Dutch-Jewish art dealer. During World War II, when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, many of Goudstikker’s artworks were stolen or forcibly sold.
Portrait of a Lady was one of the pieces taken. It later became part of the possessions of Freidrich Kadgien, a German officer linked to Hermann Göring, one of the most powerful leaders in Nazi Germany.
For decades, the paintings location was unknown. It was considered lost, like many other works of art stolen during the war.
How it was Found:
The rediscovery of Portrait of a Lady wasn’t made by police or art experts-it was uncovered by Dutch journalists.
They found the painting because they were investigating Nazi-looted art connected to Argentina. Argentina became a place where many Nazis and their families moved after World War II, sometimes bringing stolen possessions with them.
Journalists had been following stories of missing artworks and noticed that some pieces might have ended up in South America.
In August 2025, the journalists in the Netherlands noticed the painting in photos of a house listed for sale in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The home belonged to Patricia Kadgien, the daughter of Fredrich Kadgien.
Realizing the significance of the painting, they alerted the authorities.
The Argentine police conducted raids of the home, but the painting had already been moved. Eventually, the Kadgien family’s lawyer handed the painting over to the authorities.
It is now safely stored while its legal ownership is being determined.
Significance of the Painting:
Experts have confirmed the painting is in good condition, valued at approximately $50,000. Beyond its monetary value, the painting is historically significant because it represents:
The story of art looted during World War II
The ongoing efforts of restation for stolen art, particularly for families affected by the holocaust.
The importance of journalism and modern technology in uncovering lost pieces of cultural heritage.
Art dealer Jaques Goudstikker:
Jacques Goudstikker ( Born: 1897) was a Jewish art dealer in Amsterdam whose incredible collection of masterworks was almost lost forever after being looted by the Nazis.
The Goudstikker collection was remarkable — filled with Italian Renaissance, Northern Baroque, and later European paintings. It had been carefully built up over many years by the Goudstikker family and proudly displayed in Jacques’ Amsterdam gallery.
As the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands loomed, Jacques applied for visas to move his family to the United States. In May 1940, the Nazis invaded and the Goudstikkers fled without papers, securing passage on the ship SS Bodegraven.
Tragically, Jacques never made it across. On the night of May 15th, while crossing the English Channel, he fell through an open hatch on deck and was killed.
Photo courtesy uboat.net
