An Argentine court returns an 18th-century work to the heirs of a Jewish art dealer

An Argentine federal court has ruled that the painting Portrait of a Lady must be returned to the family of Jacques Goudstikker, a Dutch Jewish art dealer, after nearly a century of Nazi looting. The artwork was discovered last year at a residence in Mar del Plata, a city 400 kilometers from Buenos Aires. Goudstikker's family were accused of possessing and concealing the stolen artwork, but they ultimately accepted a deal to avoid trial and renounce any claim to the painting.

In return, they will donate 4.8 million pesos (approximately 3,200 dollars) to support a maternal and child hospital. The court's decision is seen as a form of historic reparation for the victims. Jacques Goudstikker's daughter, Marei von Saher, will receive the painting, which she will eventually lend to a museum in Buenos Aires.

Goudstikker's ancestry is noteworthy, as his daughter is the descendant of Friedrich Kadgien, an SS member who played a significant role in currency purchases and the plundering of territories during World War II. Despite the 86 years of alleged plunder, Marei von Saher does not seek revenge or compensation, only for the painting to be exhibited before its return to the Goudstikker family.