A painting looted from a Jewish collector during the Second World War has been uncovered in Argentina after the daughter of a top Nazi official listed her property for sale.
In a photograph of the woman's living room posted in a real estate advert, the Portrait of a Lady piece by Italian painter Giuseppe Ghislandi was seen hanging above a sofa over eight decades on from its theft.
The painting was just one out of hundreds forcefully taken from the collection of a successful Dutch art dealer, Jacques Goudstikker, who helped other Jews escape Nazi persecution.
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In a photograph of the woman's living room posted in a real estate advert, the Portrait of a Lady piece by Italian painter Giuseppe Ghislandi was seen hanging above a sofa
|ROBLES CASAS & CAMPOS
Mr Goudstikker died in the English Channel after attempting to escape to Britain on board a cargo ship and was buried in Falmouth, Cornwall.
Over 800 pieces of art from the Dutchman's collection was taken by the head of the Luftwaffe, Herman Goering, who was a renowned art collector.
Despite hundreds of pieces being returned following an investigation carried out by the Dutch Government, many were lost, including the Portrait of a Lady painting.
The Nazi-looted painting was finally tracked down to the family of Hermann Goering’s financial adviser, Friedrich Kadgien, following an investigation by the Dutch newspaper, AD.
Over 800 pieces of art from the Dutchman's collection was taken by the head of the Luftwaffe, Herman Goering
|GETTY
After a review of the images posted on the website of Argentinian estate agent, Robles Casas & Campos, experts believe the colours and dimensions of the Italian painter's work is a match.
Annelies Kool and Perry Schrier from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands said: “The dimensions also seem to correspond to the information we have.
"Final confirmation can come by looking at the back of the painting, there may still be marks or labels that confirm the origin.”
A Dutch journalist for the AD newspaper tried to make contact with the Nazi officials' daughter who listed her property, where the painting is believed to be housed.
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She denied harbouring the artwork, saying: “I don’t know what information you want from me, and I don’t know what painting you’re talking about either."
Many high-ranking Nazi officials escaped to Argentina after the war, including Friedrich Kadgien.
Information released from the CIA archives showed that American authorities believed Kadgien was “not a real Nazi, but a snake of the lowest kind” and was someone with “large assets, [who] can still be of value to us”.
The family of Mr Goudstikker have hired an American lawyer as they seek to launch a legal challenge to get back the painting looted from their ancestor.
Many high-ranking Nazi officials escaped to Argentina after the war
|GETTY
Marei Von Saher, 81, told AD: “My search for the artworks owned by my father-in-law Jacques Goudstikker started at the end of the 90s and I won’t give up.
“My family aims to bring back every single artwork robbed from Jacques’ collection and restore his legacy.”
In 2006, the Dutch government returned 202 paintings to Mr Von Saher following a lengthy legal battle.
Mr Von Saher, who is the renowned art dealer's sole heir, sold many of the pieces handed back to him and has taken home over $10 million (£7.42 million) at auction.