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The family members of a Jewish spouses have brought a case against New York's Metropolitan Museum, asserting that a Van Gogh canvas was stolen by Nazi forces.

Case History

Per the court documents, Frederick and Hedwig Stern bought the painting, titled Olive Picking, in the mid-1930s. A year after, they were compelled to leave their dwelling in Munich, Germany prior to World War II.

The suit states that the museum, which purchased the artwork in the 1950s for a significant sum, must have realized it was likely confiscated property. The descendants are now requesting the return of the artwork along with damages.

Following World War II, this stolen artwork has been often and discreetly exchanged, acquired and disposed of in and through New York, alleges the legal filing.

Family's Flight

The Stern family escaped from the city of Munich to California in the late 1930s with their offspring due to the oppressive Nazi regime. However, they were barred from transporting the painting, which was painted by the Dutch post-impressionist in 1889.

Prior to their departure, Nazi authorities declared the masterpiece as property of the state and banned the family from exporting it. Following authorization from a Nazi official, a representative assigned by the regime auctioned the artwork on the couple's behalf. However, the funds from the transaction were held in a restricted account, which the Nazis later took.

Subsequent Ownership

Around 1948, or shortly after, the artwork arrived in the United States and was purchased by Vincent Astor, a member of the Astor family. Later, it was transferred through a commercial outlet to the museum, which then sold it to wealthy Greek businessman Goulandris and his spouse, Elise Goulandris, in 1972.

The Greek couple founded the Goulandris Foundation in 1979, which operates a gallery in the Greek capital where the painting is currently on display.

Claims and Defenses

The institution and a surviving nephew of Basil Goulandris are listed as respondents. The lawsuit alleges that the family and its affiliates have concealed and disguised the masterpiece's history and current place from the family.

Even now, the Goulandris Defendants continue to obscure the circumstances the foundation came into ownership of the Painting; the couple's ownership of the artwork from several years; and the reality that the Nazis stole the artwork from the family, pressured the family into selling it via a Nazi-appointed agent, and took the proceeds of the transaction.

Earlier Lawsuits

The Stern heirs filed a comparable case in California in the year 2022, but it was dismissed in 2024. An appeal was also denied in May 2025.

The Met's Position

The legal action argues that the Met's purchase of the painting was approved by a curator, the Met's authority of Old Masters and a leading authority on Nazi art looting. Rousseau and the Met knew or should have known that the masterpiece had likely been looted by the regime.

The museum responded that it is committed to its longstanding commitment to resolve issues related to WWII.

A spokesperson stated: At no time during The Met's ownership of the painting was there any record that it had earlier been possessed to the family – in fact, that information did not become accessible until a long time after the masterpiece left the Met's possession.

The institution's deaccessioning of the artwork met the Met's guidelines for removal from collection – specifically, it was noted that the artwork was considered to be of inferior standard than additional artworks of the comparable nature in the collection. While the institution maintains its position that this artwork entered the collection and was removed properly and well within all guidelines and policies, the museum invites and will examine any further evidence that comes to light.

BEG's Response

Legal counsel acting for BEG commented: BEG is a highly prestigious organization in Greece. The attempt to litigate and defame the organization and the family in the America upon misleadingly incomplete allegations was earlier rejected, twice. We are confident it will be again.