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The family members of a Jewish couple have brought a case against The Metropolitan Museum of Art, alleging that a Vincent van Gogh canvas was stolen by Nazi forces.

Case History

As stated in the lawsuit, Hedwig and Frederick Stern acquired the piece, titled Olive Picking, in the year 1935. A year after, they were compelled to leave their residence in the German city of Munich on the eve of WWII.

The legal action argues that the institution, which purchased the masterpiece in 1956 for $125,000, ought to have been aware it was probably stolen property. The family are now requesting the restitution of the painting along with financial restitution.

Following the war, this plundered piece has been repeatedly and secretly trafficked, bought and sold in and through NYC, alleges the lawsuit.

Family's Flight

Hedwig and Frederick Stern escaped from the city of Munich to California in the late 1930s with their large family due to persecution by the Nazis. Yet, they were prevented from taking the artwork, which was produced by the Dutch post-impressionist in the late 19th century.

Prior to their departure, the regime declared the artwork as a German cultural asset and forbade the couple from bringing it with them. Once approved from a Nazi official, a agent designated by the authorities disposed of the painting on the Sterns' behalf. Yet, the proceeds from the auction were placed in a restricted account, which the regime later seized.

Later Transactions

Around 1948, or not long after, the canvas was brought to NYC and was bought by Vincent Astor, a member of the Astor family. Eventually, it was exchanged through a gallery to the museum, which then transferred it to Greek shipping magnate the magnate and his partner, Mrs. Goulandris, in 1972.

The Greek couple founded the BEG in 1979, which runs a museum in the Greek capital where the artwork is currently on display.

Legal Arguments

The foundation and a family member of Basil Goulandris are listed as respondents. The legal action alleges that the family and its affiliates have covered up the artwork's provenance and whereabouts from the family.

Even now, the Goulandris Defendants continue to hide how and when the institution came into ownership of the Painting; the family's possession of the masterpiece from 1935 to 1938; and the reality that the Nazis stole the artwork from the family, pressured the couple into disposing of it via a Nazi-appointed agent, and confiscated the funds of the sale.

Prior Cases

The family submitted a similar complaint in California in recently, but it was dismissed in the following years. An legal challenge was also rejected in spring 2025.

Museum's Response

The legal action states that the Met's purchase of the painting was approved by the museum's expert, the Met's authority of European art and a leading authority on Nazi art looting. The institution and its expert 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 takes seriously its historical dedication to resolve Nazi-era claims.

An official remarked: Never during The Met's ownership of the piece was there any documentation that it had earlier been possessed to the heirs – actually, that information did not become accessible until many years after the painting left the institution's holdings.

The Met's sale of Olive Picking met the Met's guidelines for disposal – in particular, it was documented that the piece was considered to be of inferior standard than other works of the comparable nature in the inventory. Although the museum maintains its view that this artwork entered the inventory and was sold properly and well within all rules and regulations, the Met invites and will examine any new information that emerges.

Goulandris Statement

A lawyer on behalf of the Goulandris Foundation stated: The institution is a renowned institution in the Greek capital. The action to litigate and defame the organization and the defendants in the US upon inaccurate and partial claims was earlier rejected, on two occasions. We are convinced it will be a third time.