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The descendants of a Jewish spouses have brought a case against The Metropolitan Museum of Art, alleging that a Van Gogh canvas was seized by Nazi forces.

Historical Background

As stated in the lawsuit, Hedwig and Frederick Stern acquired the piece, titled Gathering Olives, in the mid-1930s. Just one year later, they were compelled to leave their home in Munich just before WWII.

The legal action argues that the Met, which acquired the painting in the mid-1950s for a significant sum, should have known it was likely stolen property. The descendants are now demanding the restitution of the artwork along with compensation.

Since the end of the war, this stolen artwork has been often and discreetly exchanged, bought and sold in and through New York, states the legal filing.

The Sterns' Escape

Hedwig and Frederick Stern escaped from their Munich home to America in the late 1930s with their offspring due to the oppressive Nazi regime. Yet, they were prevented from taking the Van Gogh piece, which was produced by the celebrated artist in the late 19th century.

Before the family's emigration, the Nazi government classified the artwork as German cultural property and banned the Sterns from taking it abroad. Following authorization from a regime representative, a agent designated by the Nazis auctioned the artwork on the couple's behalf. Yet, the money from the sale were held in a blocked account, which the regime later confiscated.

Post-War History

In 1948, or soon after, the painting was brought to New York and was acquired by a wealthy American, among the richest individuals in the US. Later, it was sold through a commercial outlet to the institution, which then passed it on to prominent shipowner Basil Goulandris and his partner, Mrs. Goulandris, in 1972.

The Greek couple set up the BEG in the late 1970s, which manages a institution in the Greek capital where the artwork is currently shown.

Court Allegations

BEG and a surviving nephew of Basil Goulandris are identified in the suit. The legal action claims that the family and its related entities have concealed and disguised the artwork's provenance and current place from the plaintiffs.

Even now, the Goulandris Defendants continue to hide the circumstances the institution came into possession of the artwork; the family's possession of the masterpiece from several years; and the facts that the Third Reich confiscated the canvas from the family, coerced the Sterns into parting with it via a Nazi-appointed agent, and took the proceeds of the deal.

Prior Cases

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

Museum's Response

The complaint contends that the institution's buying of the painting was authorized by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the museum's curator of European paintings and a renowned specialist on art theft during the Nazi era. The curator and the museum knew or should have known that the Painting had almost certainly been looted by Nazis.

The museum issued a statement that it is committed to its ongoing pledge to address issues related to WWII.

A representative remarked: Not once during the institution's custody of the piece was there any evidence that it had earlier been possessed to the heirs – in fact, that information did not become available until several decades after the artwork left the Met's possession.

The museum's disposal of the artwork met the institution's rigorous standards for removal from collection – specifically, it was noted that the piece was deemed to be of lesser quality than other works of the similar kind in the inventory. While The Met upholds its position that this artwork entered the holdings and was removed properly and well within all guidelines and policies, the museum invites and will examine any additional details that emerges.

Goulandris Statement

Legal counsel representing the Goulandris Foundation said: The institution is a esteemed foundation in Greece. The action to take legal action against the Foundation and the Goulandris family in the US upon inaccurate and partial claims was earlier rejected, twice. We are confident it will be again.