Nazi-looted artwork surfaces with Dutch collaborator's heirs

"Dutch art detective Arthur Brand said he could confirm that the work, “Portrait of a Young Girl by Toon Kelder, came from the famed Goudstikker collection. It was looted during World War II. Brand says he was approached months ago through an intermediary by the Seyffardt family member. The relative had discovered to his horror that his family had been concealing some uncomfortable secrets that he was a descendant of Seyffardt, who was associated with the Waffen-SS, and that the painting could demonstrably be traced to the Goudstikker collection."

"“It is true that I discovered my family possesses the looted painting and does not want to return it,” he told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. “I was stunned speechless. That is why I am now bringing it into the public eye. I feel deep shame about the family past and am furious about the years of silence. The painting must return to the Jewish rightful heirs,” the family member told the newspaper."

"Brand traced the piece to a 1940 auction of looted works, identifying it via a label and catalog number. Lawyers for the Goudstikker heirs have confirmed the artwork was stolen and are seeking restitution. What is the history of the painting? Kelder's work formed part of Goudstikker's art collection. Before the Second World War, he owned more than twelve hundred artworks and was the Netherlands' leading dealer in Old Masters."

A painting identified as “Portrait of a Young Girl” by Toon Kelder has resurfaced in the Netherlands. The work was traced to the collection of Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, which was looted during World War II. Dutch art detective Arthur Brand confirmed the painting came from the Goudstikker collection and said he was contacted months earlier through an intermediary by a family member of Hendrik Seyffardt’s descendants. The family member discovered the painting had been concealed in a private home for decades and publicly called for its return to Goudstikker’s heirs. Brand traced the painting to a 1940 auction of looted works using a label and catalog number. Lawyers for the heirs confirmed the theft and are seeking restitution.

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