🔗 Share this article

The descendants of a Jewish couple have initiated legal proceedings against The Metropolitan Museum of Art, asserting that a Vincent van Gogh canvas was looted by the Third Reich.

Case History

Per the court documents, Hedwig and Frederick Stern bought the artwork, titled Olive Picking, in the mid-1930s. The following year, they were obliged to escape their residence in the German city of Munich just before World War II.

The legal action argues that the museum, which obtained the artwork in the mid-1950s for a significant sum, must have realized it was probably looted property. The family are now seeking the return of the artwork along with damages.

Since the end of the war, this plundered piece has been frequently and covertly traded, acquired and disposed of in and through NYC, alleges the legal filing.

Forced Emigration

Hedwig and Frederick Stern fled from their Munich home to America in 1936 with their large family due to Nazi persecution. However, they were prevented from taking the painting, which was created by the Dutch post-impressionist in 1889.

Before they left, the Nazi government declared the painting as a German cultural asset and forbade the family from taking it abroad. Following authorization from a regime representative, a trustee designated by the Nazis auctioned the artwork on the Sterns' behalf. Yet, the funds from the auction were deposited in a blocked account, which the authorities later confiscated.

Later Transactions

In 1948, or not long after, the painting entered the United States and was acquired by Vincent Astor, one of America's wealthiest people. Later, it was sold through a commercial outlet to the Met, which then transferred it to wealthy Greek businessman the magnate and his wife, Mrs. Goulandris, in 1972.

Basil and Elise founded the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation in 1979, which manages a institution in the Greek capital where the masterpiece is currently shown.

Legal Arguments

The foundation and a family member of Goulandris are identified in the suit. The filing claims that the defendants and its related entities have hidden and obscured the masterpiece's history and whereabouts from the family.

Even now, the defendants continue to hide the manner and time the foundation came into possession of the piece; the family's possession of the Painting from the mid-1930s; and the reality that the regime looted the artwork from the family, forced the family into disposing of it via a regime representative, and confiscated the money of the sale.

Previous Legal Action

The family initiated a comparable case in California in 2022, but it was rejected in 2024. An further action was also denied in spring 2025.

Institution's Statement

The complaint states that the Met's purchase of the piece was sanctioned by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the institution's specialist of European paintings and a renowned specialist on Nazi art looting. The institution and its expert must have known that the masterpiece had likely been stolen by the Nazis.

The museum said in a statement that it prioritizes its ongoing pledge to address Nazi-era claims.

A representative commented: At no time during The Met's ownership of the piece was there any record that it had earlier been possessed to the heirs – in fact, that knowledge did not become accessible until many years after the artwork left the Met's possession.

The museum's disposal of the Van Gogh met the museum's strict criteria for disposal – in particular, it was noted that the artwork was judged to be of lesser quality than other works of the same type in the holdings. While The Met respectfully stands by its position that this work entered the inventory and was removed lawfully and well within all guidelines and policies, the museum welcomes and will consider any additional details that emerges.

Foundation's Defense

Legal counsel acting for the Goulandris Foundation commented: The Goulandris Foundation is a renowned institution in the Greek capital. The attempt to litigate and defame the Foundation and the Goulandris family in the America upon misleadingly incomplete allegations was earlier rejected, multiple times. We are convinced it will be once more.