In brief
The painting 'Portrait of a Lady', looted during World War II, has been returned to authorities after being spotted in a real estate listing in Argentina. The piece was linked to a Nazi fugitive and was valued at approximately $50,000. The current owners are facing legal scrutiny for potentially concealing the artwork, prompting further investigations into other possible stolen artworks.
A long lost painting looted decades ago in Nazi occupied Europe has been recovered in Argentina, officials have said.
Portrait of a Lady, by Italian master Giuseppe Ghislandi, had been missing for 80 years before it was spotted last month on an estate agent's website, where a photo showed it hanging in a house that had belonged to the daughter of a Nazi fugitive.
Patricia Kadgien's late father Friedrich had been a top adviser to Hermann Goring, Adolf Hitler's deputy, who plundered thousands of works from across Europe.
Prosecutors said the artwork had now been returned by the lawyer of Ms. Kadgien, who was under house arrest after a search of her property initially failed to find the painting.
Ariel Bassano, an art expert who worked on the case, told reporters it was in good condition for its age, as it dates from 1710. He valued it at around $50,000, according to local reports.
The painting first spotted online, Portrait of a Lady, was among the collection of Amsterdam art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, much of which was forcibly sold by the Nazis after his death. It is listed on a database of art stolen by the Nazis.
Local media reported that Ms. Kadgien and her husband had been ordered to remain under house arrest as they were being questioned for obstructing the investigation to locate the painting. The couple maintains they are the rightful owners of the artwork, which they claim to have inherited.
During the investigations, two paintings and other historical items may have been found connected to theft from World War II. The authorities suspect more stolen artworks could still be hidden within properties linked to the Kadgien family.
