Orchestrated Disappearance?

In a jaw-dropping twist, a painting looted by Nazis and recently spotted in an Argentine real estate listing has vanished once more. The long-lost masterpiece, "Portrait of a Lady" by Giuseppe Ghislandi, was previously showcased hanging in a luxurious property just outside Buenos Aires, advertised by the daughter of a high-ranking Nazi officer.

The Shocking Raid

Authorities executed a raid on the property this week, only to be left empty-handed regarding the elusive artwork. Instead, they seized two weapons, as federal prosecutor Carlos Martínez suggested there may be a cover-up involving smuggling activities. According to local media, the premises appeared suspicious, with rearranged furnishings and the Ghislandi portrait mysteriously absent from its prominent spot above the sofa.

A Fast-Paced Cover-Up?

Peter Schouten from the Dutch Algemeen Dagblad, the first to report on the painting's rediscovery, indicated that evidence suggests the artwork was removed swiftly after gaining media attention. The once-prized wall now features a large rug with equine motifs, leading police to suspect that it once concealed something incredibly valuable.

A Missing Legacy

The "Portrait of a Lady" had been lost to history for more than 80 years, part of the renowned collection belonging to Amsterdam art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, whose treasures were forcibly liquidated by the Nazis after his untimely death. While some of Goudstikker's artworks were retrieved and remain on display in Amsterdam, this particular piece's journey has been fraught with mystery.

Nazi Connections and the Argentine Link

Investigations uncovered documentation linking the painting to Friedrich Kadgien, an SS officer and financial aide to Hermann Göring, who absconded to Argentina after World War II. Kadgien, who died in 1979, was previously believed to have substantial assets, as cited in a U.S. file, raising questions about the hidden treasures of Nazi collaborators.

A Family Affair

Efforts to connect with Kadgien's descendants in Buenos Aires have proven challenging, but when one of his daughters listed the home for sale, it reopened the case for the missing art. Furthermore, a second looted piece, a floral still-life by 17th-century Dutch painter Abraham Mignon, surfaced on social media from one of the sisters.

Restoring the Legacy

Lawyers representing Goudstikker's estate have vowed to reclaim the painting assertively. Marei von Saher, Goudstikker's daughter-in-law and sole surviving heir, expressed determination to restore every piece of art stolen from her family, highlighting the importance of bringing back the legacy and honoring the memory of her late father-in-law.