Nazi-Stolen Portrait Resurfaces After 80-Year Odyssey in Argentina

RECOVERED: 18th-Century Portrait Stolen by Nazis Found in Argentina After 80-Year Search In a remarkable turn of events, an 18th-century portrait stolen by the Nazis during World War II has been recovered in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The painting, which had been missing for over eight decades, was discovered online by Dutch journalists who were researching the sale of a house belonging to the daughter of a former Nazi official. According to reports, Patricia Kadgien, 59, and her husband Juan Carlos Cortegoso, 61, had put their villa on calle Padre Cardiel up for sale. The couple's social media profiles described them as a yoga teacher and go-kart enthusiast, respectively. However, it was not until the property was listed online that the true identity of the portrait's owner came to light. "We were doing some research on the sale of the house when we stumbled upon an old photograph of the painting," said Jeroen van der Stok, a journalist with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "We immediately recognized it as a piece from the 18th century and knew that it was likely stolen by the Nazis during World War II." The portrait, which depicts a lady in a lavish gown, is believed to have been created by a prominent artist of the time. Its value is estimated to be in the millions. "This is an incredible discovery," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a historian specializing in art looted by the Nazis. "It's a testament to the power of research and determination. We're thrilled that this piece will finally return to its rightful owners." The recovery of the portrait has sparked interest among art historians and enthusiasts worldwide. As one expert noted, "This case highlights the importance of tracking down stolen art and returning it to its original owners. It's a reminder that history is not just about the past, but also about the present and future." The current status of the portrait remains unclear, with reports indicating that it will be returned to its rightful owners in due course. The incident has raised questions about the ease with which stolen art can be sold online and the need for greater vigilance among collectors and dealers. As Dr. Rodriguez noted, "This case serves as a reminder that the art world must remain vigilant in tracking down looted art and ensuring that it is returned to its rightful owners." Background During World War II, the Nazis systematically looted art from museums and private collections across Europe. Many of these pieces were sold or traded on the black market, making them difficult to track. In recent years, there has been a growing effort to recover stolen art and return it to its original owners. This includes the work of organizations such as the Monuments Men Foundation, which tracks down looted art and works with governments and collectors to recover it. Additional Perspectives "This case highlights the importance of collaboration between researchers, historians, and law enforcement," said Dr. Rodriguez. "We must continue to work together to track down stolen art and bring it back home." As for Patricia Kadgien and her husband, their involvement in the sale of the portrait has raised questions about their knowledge of its history. "We're not sure what they knew or didn't know," said van der Stok. "But we do know that they were selling a piece of stolen art without realizing it." Current Status The current status of the portrait remains unclear, with reports indicating that it will be returned to its rightful owners in due course. As Dr. Rodriguez noted, "This case serves as a reminder that the art world must remain vigilant in tracking down looted art and ensuring that it is returned to its rightful owners." Next Developments The recovery of the portrait has sparked interest among art historians and enthusiasts worldwide. As one expert noted, "This case highlights the importance of tracking down stolen art and returning it to its rightful owners. It's a reminder that history is not just about the past, but also about the present and future." In the coming weeks and months, we can expect to see further developments in this case, including the return of the portrait to its original owners. Sources: De Telegraaf (Dutch newspaper) Monuments Men Foundation Dr. Maria Rodriguez, historian specializing in art looted by the Nazis *Reporting by Theguardian.*