Story perspectives

Argentina orders restitution of “Portrait of a Lady” to heirs

9/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Argentina's federal courts ordered the restitution of Portrait of a Lady to Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker's heirs.
The 18th-century painting was found in August 2025 hanging in Friedrich Kadgien’s daughter’s Mar del Plata home.
Experts identified Giacomo Ceruti as the painter, correcting a previous misattribution and valuing the work at €250,000.
Heirs Marei von Saher, Charlene and Chantal will receive the work, which will be loaned to Buenos Aires museum.

History

Historical Context

The Washington Principles, adopted on 3 December 1998 in Washington, D.C., established eleven guidelines for identifying Nazi-confiscated art and achieving fair restitution. The principles prompted many nations to create provenance-research programs and restitution committees. In 2025 an Argentine court returned Giacomo Ceruti’s Portrait of a Lady to the heirs of Dutch collector Jacques Goudstikker, underscoring the Principles’ lasting impact.

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Story summary

Argentina's federal courts ordered the restitution of Portrait of a Lady to Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker's heirs.
The 18th-century painting was found in August 2025 hanging in Friedrich Kadgien’s daughter’s Mar del Plata home.
Experts identified Giacomo Ceruti as the painter, correcting a previous misattribution and valuing the work at €250,000.
Heirs Marei von Saher, Charlene and Chantal will receive the work, which will be loaned to Buenos Aires museum.

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