Metropolitan Museum Faces Legal Action Over Allegedly Nazi-Plundered Van Gogh Masterpiece

The family members of a Jewish couple have brought a case against New York's Metropolitan Museum, alleging that a Van Gogh canvas was seized by Nazi forces.

Historical Background

According to the legal filing, Hedwig and Frederick Stern purchased the piece, titled Gathering Olives, in the mid-1930s. A year after, they were obliged to escape their dwelling in Munich, Germany on the eve of World War II.

The complaint contends that the museum, which obtained the painting in the 1950s for a significant sum, should have known it was probably stolen property. The heirs are now demanding the return of the canvas along with compensation.

Following WWII, this Nazi-looted painting has been often and discreetly exchanged, purchased and sold in and through New York, claims the court document.

Family's Flight

Hedwig and Frederick Stern escaped from the city of Munich to the United States in the late 1930s with their offspring due to persecution by the Nazis. Nevertheless, they were barred from transporting the painting, which was produced by the renowned Dutch in 1889.

Before they left, Nazi authorities designated the artwork as property of the state and banned the Sterns from taking it abroad. Once approved from a regime representative, a agent appointed by the Nazis disposed of the artwork on the couple's behalf. Yet, the funds from the auction were deposited in a blocked account, which the regime later took.

Post-War History

Around 1948, or shortly after, the canvas entered the United States and was acquired by a prominent figure, one of America's wealthiest people. Subsequently, it was transferred through a commercial outlet to the Met, which then sold it to Greek shipping magnate Goulandris and his spouse, Mrs. Goulandris, in 1972.

Basil and Elise founded the BEG in 1979, which manages a museum in Athens where the artwork is currently exhibited.

Claims and Defenses

The institution and a family member of the magnate are listed as respondents. The lawsuit alleges that the family and its affiliates have hidden and obscured the masterpiece's history and whereabouts from the heirs.

Even now, the foundation continue to conceal the circumstances the institution came into possession of the piece; the couple's ownership of the artwork from 1935 to 1938; and the reality that the Third Reich stole the Painting from the family, pressured the family into selling it via a regime representative, and confiscated the funds of the deal.

Prior Cases

The family filed a comparable case in the state of California in the year 2022, but it was dismissed in 2024. An legal challenge was also denied in spring 2025.

Institution's Statement

The lawsuit contends that the Met's purchase of the painting was authorized by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the museum's curator of European paintings and a leading authority on art theft during the Nazi era. Rousseau and the Met were aware or ought to have been aware that the artwork had probably been stolen by the Nazis.

The museum said in a statement that it is committed to its longstanding commitment to resolve issues related to WWII.

A representative stated: At no time during the institution's custody of the artwork was there any record that it had earlier been possessed to the family – indeed, that data did not become available until a long time after the artwork left the Museum's collection.

The museum's disposal of Olive Picking met the institution's rigorous standards for removal from collection – specifically, it was documented that the piece was deemed to be of inferior standard than other pieces of the comparable nature in the collection. Although The Met maintains its view that this artwork entered the holdings and was deaccessioned legally and well within all guidelines and policies, the institution invites and will examine any further evidence that comes to light.

Goulandris Statement

William Charron acting for the Goulandris Foundation stated: The institution is a esteemed foundation in the Greek capital. The action to litigate and defame the organization and the Goulandris family in the United States upon deceptive and insufficient accusations was earlier rejected, twice. We are convinced it will be once more.