The Met Faces Legal Action Over Reportedly Nazi-Looted Van Gogh Masterpiece

The family members of a Jewish spouses have filed a lawsuit against The Metropolitan Museum of Art, claiming that a Vincent van Gogh canvas was stolen by the Third Reich.

Origins of the Dispute

Per the legal filing, Hedwig and Frederick Stern acquired the piece, titled Olive Picking, in the mid-1930s. Just one year later, they were forced to flee their residence in Munich, Germany just before World War II.

The legal action contends that the institution, which purchased the artwork in 1956 for one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars, must have realized it was likely stolen property. The family are now demanding the repatriation of the canvas along with damages.

In the decades since the war, this stolen artwork has been frequently and covertly traded, acquired and disposed of in and through NYC, claims the legal filing.

Family's Flight

The Sterns fled from their Munich home to California in the late 1930s with their large family due to Nazi persecution. Yet, they were unable to bring the painting, which was created by the celebrated artist in the late 19th century.

Prior to their departure, the Nazi government designated the painting as German cultural property and prohibited the couple from bringing it with them. Once approved from a Nazi official, a agent assigned by the regime disposed of the piece on the family's behalf. But, the funds from the transaction were placed in a restricted account, which the authorities later took.

Post-War History

In 1948, or shortly after, the painting arrived in New York and was bought by a wealthy American, among the richest individuals in the US. Subsequently, it was exchanged through a gallery to the Met, which then sold it to Greek shipping magnate the magnate and his spouse, Elise, in 1972.

The Goulandris pair established the BEG in 1979, which manages a museum in the Greek capital where the artwork is currently shown.

Court Allegations

BEG and a living relative of Basil Goulandris are listed as respondents. The legal action claims that the defendants and its affiliates have concealed and disguised the painting's ownership and whereabouts from the plaintiffs.

To this day, the defendants continue to hide the manner and time the foundation came into possession of the piece; the Stern family's ownership of the masterpiece from the mid-1930s; and the truth that the Third Reich looted the canvas from the heirs, coerced the family into disposing of it via a regime representative, and took the funds of the transaction.

Prior Cases

The Stern heirs submitted a related lawsuit in the state of California in the year 2022, but it was rejected in 2024. An legal challenge was also rejected in recently.

Museum's Response

The legal action states that the museum's acquisition of the artwork was sanctioned by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the institution's specialist of European art and a leading authority on Nazi-era looted art. The institution and its expert were aware or ought to have been aware that the Painting had almost certainly been looted by the Nazis.

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

A representative stated: Not once during the museum's possession of the piece was there any record that it had once belonged to the Stern family – actually, that information did not become known until a long time after the masterpiece left the Museum's collection.

The institution's deaccessioning of the Van Gogh met the institution's rigorous standards for disposal – in particular, it was recorded that the work was judged to be of inferior standard than other pieces of the same type in the inventory. Although the institution upholds its stance that this work entered the holdings and was deaccessioned lawfully and well within all standards and procedures, the institution is open to and will review any new information that comes to light.

BEG's Response

Legal counsel acting for the foundation said: The Goulandris Foundation is a renowned institution in the Greek capital. The action to litigate and defame the organization and the Goulandris family in the US upon inaccurate and partial claims was earlier rejected, twice. We are certain it will be again.