An artwork looted by the Nazis from the renowned Goudstikker collection has resurfaced in the home of descendants of Hendrik Seyffardt, a notorious Dutch SS collaborator. The painting, *Portrait of a Young Girl* by Toon Kelder, was discovered by art detective Arthur Brand after a family member contacted him, revealing that the piece had hung for decades in the home of Seyffardt’s granddaughter. Brand traced the painting to a 1940 auction where part of the looted Goudstikker collection was sold, and lawyers for the Goudstikker heirs have confirmed the work was stolen and called for its return.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges of Nazi-looted art restitution, particularly when works are held by private individuals beyond the reach of legal compulsion due to statutes of limitations. The Dutch Restitutions Committee cannot force the return of the painting, leaving public exposure as the only leverage. This discovery parallels a 2025 case involving another Goudstikker painting found in Argentina, underscoring the enduring legacy of Nazi plunder and the moral imperative for families to return stolen cultural property.