A federal court in Argentina has put the daughter of a former Nazi official and her husband under house arrest. This decision comes after a raid aimed at finding a painting believed to have been stolen from a Jewish art dealer in Amsterdam.
The couple resides in Mar del Plata, where authorities acted after a Dutch newspaper identified a missing artwork in property listings. This piece, an Italian portrait called Contessa Colleoni by Giuseppe Ghislandi, had vanished for 80 years before it was spotted in the listing for their home.
Although officials searched the property, the painting was not found. Patricia Kadgien and her husband will remain under house arrest for 72 hours. They are being questioned for potentially hindering the investigation. A judicial source indicated they may face charges related to the concealment of stolen property.
Further investigations led to four new raids at locations connected to Kadgien and her relatives. Interestingly, investigators discovered two additional paintings from the 1800s, adding more mystery to the case.
After World War II, many high-ranking Nazi officials relocated to South America, escaping international scrutiny. Friedrich Kadgien, Patricia’s father and a prominent figure in Hitler’s regime, moved to Argentina and passed away in 1979. Documents indicate he may have possessed the stolen portrait, which was one of over 1,000 artworks taken from Jewish dealer Jacques Goudstikker during the war.
The ongoing search reflects larger efforts globally to reclaim art taken during the Holocaust. According to a recent report from the World Jewish Restitution Organization, it’s estimated that 600,000 cultural items are still unaccounted for from that era.
This case has sparked significant public interest and debate on social media, with many users expressing outrage over the continued concealment of looted art. Some advocate for stricter laws against art theft, while others emphasize the importance of addressing historical injustices.
For further insights into art restitution efforts worldwide, read more from sources like The Guardian and the World Jewish Restitution Organization.
