Nazi-looted artwork surfaces with Dutch collaborator's heirs
DW.com • • world
Key Points:
- A Nazi-looted painting, "Portrait of a Young Girl" by Toon Kelder, has resurfaced in the Netherlands after being found in the possession of descendants of Dutch Nazi collaborator Hendrik Seyffardt.
- The painting was stolen from the collection of Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker during World War II and has been displayed privately by Seyffardt's family for decades.
- A family member, shocked by the painting's origins and his family's Nazi past, has called publicly for its return to Goudstikker's heirs, while Dutch art detective Arthur Brand confirmed its provenance.
- Legal challenges exist as time limits for restitution claims have expired, and private owners cannot be compelled to return looted art, complicating efforts to recover the painting.
- The case highlights ongoing issues with Nazi-looted art, similar to a recent recovery in Argentina of another painting stolen from Goudstikker by a fugitive Nazi officer.