COURT RULES PAINTING STOLEN BY NAZIS MUST BE RETURNED

BUENOS AIRES, SEPTEMBER 5 /SRNA/ — An Argentine court has ordered the return of a painting looted by the Nazis during the Second World War and discovered in Argentina last year to the heir of its former Jewish owner.

Under an agreement reached before a federal court in Mar del Plata, the daughter of a former Nazi official and her husband have relinquished their ownership claim to the painting, which was found in their home in 2025.

The painting, Portrait of a Lady, was created in the 18th century by Italian artist Giacomo Antonio Melchior Ceruti, DPA reported.

It once belonged to Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, whose collection in Amsterdam was looted during the German occupation of the Netherlands. Goudstikker died in 1940 while fleeing the Nazis.

The work, which experts estimate is worth around EUR 250,000, was discovered last year at the home of Patricia Cadygian, daughter of former Nazi official Friedrich Cadygian, and her husband, Juan Carlos Cortegoso.

The couple was accused of keeping and concealing the painting for decades.

In exchange for a conditional suspension of the proceedings, they gave up all rights to the painting, the newspaper Nacion reported.