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The descendants of a Jewish couple have filed a lawsuit against The Met, alleging that a Van Gogh oil painting was seized by Nazi forces.

Historical Background

Per the legal filing, the Stern couple acquired the artwork, titled Olive Picking, in 1935. Just one year later, they were forced to flee their home in Munich prior to the Second World War.

The legal action contends that the institution, which acquired the painting in 1956 for a significant sum, ought to have been aware it was almost certainly looted property. The descendants are now requesting the repatriation of the painting along with compensation.

Since the end of World War II, this plundered piece has been often and discreetly exchanged, acquired and disposed of in and through New York, states the court document.

The Sterns' Escape

Hedwig and Frederick Stern departed from Munich to California in 1936 with their six children due to Nazi persecution. However, they were prevented from taking the painting, which was painted by the celebrated artist in the late 19th century.

Prior to their departure, the Nazi government declared the painting as a German cultural asset and banned the couple from bringing it with them. Following authorization from a regime representative, a trustee designated by the regime auctioned the artwork on the Sterns' behalf. Yet, the funds from the sale were placed in a frozen account, which the authorities later seized.

Later Transactions

By 1948, or not long after, the artwork arrived in the United States and was bought by Vincent Astor, among the richest individuals in the US. Later, it was sold through a art dealer to the Met, which then sold it to wealthy Greek businessman the magnate and his partner, Elise Goulandris, in 1972.

Basil and Elise set up the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation in 1979, which runs a gallery in Athens where the painting is currently on display.

Legal Arguments

The foundation and a living relative of Basil Goulandris are identified in the suit. The filing states that the defendants and its affiliates have hidden and obscured the painting's ownership and location from the heirs.

Currently, the defendants continue to conceal the circumstances the foundation came into possession of the artwork; the Stern family's ownership of the Painting from 1935 to 1938; and the truth that the Third Reich confiscated the Painting from the family, coerced the Sterns into selling it via a Nazi-appointed agent, and seized the money of the transaction.

Prior Cases

The family submitted a related lawsuit in CA in the year 2022, but it was rejected in the following years. An legal challenge was also rejected in May 2025.

Museum's Response

The legal action argues that the museum's acquisition of the painting was approved by a curator, the museum's curator 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 likely been seized by Nazis.

The institution said in a statement that it prioritizes its historical dedication to address issues related to WWII.

A spokesperson remarked: Not once during the museum's possession of the artwork was there any evidence that it had previously been owned to the family – indeed, that information did not become known until several decades after the masterpiece left the Met's possession.

The institution's deaccessioning of the Van Gogh met the institution's rigorous standards for disposal – specifically, it was noted that the artwork was considered to be of lesser quality than other works of the same type in the holdings. Even though the institution respectfully stands by its view that this artwork entered the inventory and was removed properly and well within all rules and regulations, the institution welcomes and will consider any further evidence that emerges.

Foundation's Defense

Legal counsel on behalf of the foundation stated: The Goulandris Foundation is a highly prestigious organization in Greece. The attempt to litigate and defame the organization and the family in the US upon deceptive and insufficient accusations was earlier rejected, twice. We are certain it will be again.