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Argentine court orders return of painting stolen by Nazis

An Argentine judge has ordered the return of a painting stolen by the Nazis to the heir of a Jewish art collector. The work was discovered in Mar del Plata.

4 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Argentine court orders return of painting stolen by Nazis — Archive photoPhoto: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken · Flickr · BY-SA

An Argentine federal court has ordered the return of an 18th-century painting from the Goudstikker collection to the heir of Dutch Jewish gallery owner Jacques Goudstikker. The painting, titled 'Damesportret', was stolen by the Nazis during World War II. This ruling confirms a settlement agreed upon by all parties involved.

The painting came to light last year when journalist Wilco Wessels of AD discovered it in a sales advertisement on an Argentine real estate website. The advertisement featured a house in Mar del Plata owned by the daughter and son-in-law of Friedrich Kadgien, a former Nazi official.

According to various sources, 'Damesportret' was previously in the possession of Goudstikker, whose extensive art collection was plundered by the Nazis. The return of the work is a significant step in the recovery of artworks lost during this period.

The court's ruling has bolstered the heir’s hopes that more artworks looted during the war may eventually be returned. This development comes at a time when there is global attention on the restitution of artworks to rightful owners.

The returning authorities in Argentina have stated that the judicial proceedings regarding the painting are now concluded, and that further steps for the physical transfer of the work to the heir may take place soon.

This matter has also drawn attention in the broader context of the restitution of art stolen by the Nazis, with many countries and institutions grappling with their responsibilities toward the heirs of Holocaust victims.

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