A masterpiece, stolen from an Amsterdam Jewish art dealer during the Second World War, resurfaced in Argentina, completely by chance, relates the Gizmodo media. Eighty-five years ago, the table Portrait of a lady Italian painter Giuseppe Ghislandi, known as Fra ‘Galgario, had been confiscated to Jacques Goudstikker, a famous gallery owner forced to flee the Netherlands during the German invasion.
The painting representing the Countess Colleoni was robbed by Kadgian Friedrich, at the same time as nearly a thousand other works. High Nazi official, it was considered, according to the world, as one of the “Large looters of Jewish goods”. Until very recently, no one knew what this masterpiece had become.
This week, the table was spotted in the photos of a real estate ad for a house for sale in Argentina. Many observers wondered how the painting had been able to travel so far, some saying that it was undoubtedly a copy. However, for those who know the history of Argentina, it is not so surprising to find this kind of treasures.
Gizmodo explains that the SS Friedrich officer Kadgian ended his life there, after fled Germany at the time of the Liberation. The house in question belonged to him well, put on sale by one of his daughters. The mystery seemed to be resolved, up to a new twist: the canvas has disappeared again.
“Old Master Painting Looted by Nazis Spotted in Argentinian Property Listing”
https://t.co/nnt0iiftcg– David Perreault (@davidperreault) August 28, 2025
Immediately found, immediately disappeared
“When the Argentine police showed up at home to find the table, the latter had disappeared”indicates Gizmodo. According to the Argentinian newspaper La Capital, the officers found a large tapestry representing a landscape and horses in place of the work of stolen art. The real estate announcement was also quickly withdrawn by the agency which provided the sale of the house. The daughter of Kadgian Friedrich has deleted her accounts on social networks.
Journalist Peter Schouten, correspondent in Argentina for the Dutch media Algemeen Dagblad, would then have tried to contact the woman. She replied that he did not know which table it was, before putting an end to the conversation by pretending to be “Too busy”. The man specifies, however, having obtained photos and videos from the inside of the house, dating from the beginning of the month, where the painting can be seen distinctly.
No charge has been retained against the family, but one day it could be charged for concealment of illicit goods. Jacques Goudstikker’s daughter-in-law tirelessly pursues the search for works of art stolen from her family during the war. In 2006, after eight years of legal proceedings, the Dutch government had agreed to return 200 tables to it.
A symbolic victory, but well insufficient to compensate for all the damage suffered by the merchant Jacques Goudstikker, who died accidentally by sliding in the line of the liner on which he fled Europe.
