Nazi-Looted Painting Found in Family Home of Dutch SS Comander

Upscaled representation of Dutch SS Hendrik Alexander Seyffardt. Credit: Nationaal Archief / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

A coating looted by the Nazis from a Jewish creation dealer’s postulation has been recovered successful the location of a household descended from 1 of the Netherlands’ astir infamous wartime collaborators, creation detective Arthur Brand said. The work, “Portrait of a Young Girl” by Dutch creator Toon Kelder was erstwhile owned by Jacques Goudstikker who died fleeing the 1940 German penetration of the Netherlands, leaving much than 1,000 artworks behind.

Brand said the canvas had hung for years astatine the location of Hendrik Seyffardt’s relatives. Seyffardt commanded a Waffen-SS unpaid portion connected the Eastern Front earlier absorption fighters killed him successful 1943. Hitler sent a wreath to the authorities ceremonial held successful The Hague.

A antheral who discovered helium was a Seyffardt descendant brought the lawsuit to Brand aft his grandma told him the coating had been aquired during the war.

Grandmother admitted it was stolen, urged household silence

The family, which changed its surname aft the war, admitted to having the coating but denied knowing its origins. The grandma told reporters she received it from her parent and was unaware it belonged to Goudstikker’s heirs. The descendant felt ashamed and contacted Brand done an intermediary, hoping publicity would unit a return, arsenic reported by The Guardian.

Brand recovered a Goudstikker statement connected the backmost and the fig 92 carved into the frame. Auction records from 1940, wherever overmuch of the postulation was sold, listed point 92 arsenic “Portrait of a Young Girl” by Toon Kelder.

‘Portrait of a Young Girl’ by Toon Kelder has surfaced aft 80 years. Seized by the Nazis successful 1940, this masterpiece was recovered successful the property of a notorious Dutch SS General. Thanks to creation detective Arthur Brand and a household subordinate seeking justice. pic.twitter.com/IrMBM5bRzz

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Brand believes Nazi official Hermann Goring plundered the postulation erstwhile Goudstikker fled to Britain successful 1940 and that Seyffardt acquired it astatine that auction. Lawyers for Goudstikker’s heirs confirmed helium had owned six Kelder works, each sold there.

Legal options are limited. The statute of limitations has expired, leaving constabulary incapable to act. The Dutch Restitutions Committee, which advises connected specified claims, cannot compel backstage individuals to instrumentality the work.

A akin nazi-looted coating surfaced successful Argentina

Brand said the household had years to instrumentality the coating and chose not to. He aboriginal confirmed it had been handed implicit to his team.

The lawsuit resembles a 2025 find successful which a Goudstikker painting turned up successful a spot listing adjacent Buenos Aires, Argentina, successful a location erstwhile owned by a Nazi authoritative who fled to South America. A constabulary raid recovered the coating already removed.

Brand has besides recovered looted creation from the Louvre and the Dutch Royal Collection. He called this the strangest lawsuit of his career.