• Argentina reclaims a painting missing for 80 years, previously owned by a Nazi official.
• Patricia Kadgien and her husband were placed under house arrest during the investigation.
• The artwork was identified in a property's real estate ad, prompting police raids.
• The painting belonged to Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, plundered during WWII.
• Further legal proceedings against Kadgien and her husband are expected.

Officials in Argentina have successfully recovered the "Portrait of Contessa Colleoni" by Italian artist Giuseppe Ghislandi, a painting stolen by Nazis over 80 years ago. The recovery occurred in the coastal city of Mar del Plata after the painting was first identified in a property advertisement, leading to a series of police raids. Following a brief period of uncertainties, Patricia Kadgien, the daughter of a former Nazi official, and her husband surrendered the painting to authorities through their attorney, thereby concluding a significant chapter in the quest for artworks plundered during the war, according to Reuters.

The painting had been highlighted as part of a wider investigation that began after its appearance in a real estate listing. Kadgien's home was raided, but initial efforts to locate the artwork were unsuccessful. Following their house arrest, federal officials confirmed that the couple had been accused of obstructing the investigation. The portrait was previously owned by Jacques Goudstikker, a Jewish art dealer whose collection was stolen by the Nazis, as reported by Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

Before its recovery, the artwork’s status became a point of contention, with Kadgien maintaining that the piece had been inherited and was rightfully theirs. Investigators emphasized the importance of recovering it not just for its value, but also to ensure justice for the original owner's heirs. Prosecutorial actions against Kadgien and her husband will continue, amid further scrutiny into their claims regarding the painting, according to CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

The resolution of this case has garnered significant media attention, with various parties, including art historians and Goudstikker's heirs, hopeful for the recovery of other stolen artworks linked to the extensive Nazi plundering during World War II. The painting is part of a critical examination of art recovery efforts globally, reflecting ongoing challenges in restoring cultural property to rightful owners, as highlighted by Reuters and CBS News.