Metropolitan Museum Confronts Legal Challenge Over Supposedly Nazi-Plundered Van Gogh Painting
The heirs of a Jewish spouses have initiated legal proceedings against The Metropolitan Museum of Art, claiming that a the Dutch artist oil painting was stolen by the Nazis.
Case History
As stated in the court documents, Hedwig and Frederick Stern purchased the painting, titled Olive Harvest, in the mid-1930s. Just one year later, they were obliged to escape their residence in Munich just before World War II.
The complaint states that the institution, which obtained the artwork in 1956 for one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars, must have realized it was probably looted property. The family are now requesting the restitution of the painting along with compensation.
Since the end of WWII, this stolen artwork has been frequently and covertly traded, acquired and disposed of in and through NYC, alleges the court document.
Forced Emigration
The Sterns escaped from their Munich home to America in 1936 with their offspring due to the oppressive Nazi regime. However, they were prevented from taking the Van Gogh piece, which was painted by the Dutch post-impressionist in 1889.
Prior to their departure, the regime classified the painting as property of the state and banned the Sterns from taking it abroad. Once approved from a Third Reich agent, a trustee designated by the authorities disposed of the artwork on the couple's behalf. But, the money from the auction were deposited in a restricted account, which the Nazis later confiscated.
Post-War History
Around 1948, or not long after, the artwork was brought to the United States and was bought by a wealthy American, one of America's wealthiest people. Eventually, it was exchanged through a gallery to the institution, which then transferred it to wealthy Greek businessman the magnate and his partner, Elise, in 1972.
The Greek couple set up the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation in 1979, which runs a institution in Athens where the artwork is currently on display.
Legal Arguments
The foundation and a surviving nephew of Basil Goulandris are named as defendants. The lawsuit claims that the family and its associated organizations have concealed and disguised the masterpiece's history and location from the plaintiffs.
Even now, the Goulandris Defendants continue to obscure how and when the BEG came into ownership of the piece; the couple's ownership of the artwork from several years; and the facts that the Third Reich stole the Painting from the heirs, pressured the family into selling it via a regime representative, and seized the proceeds of the sale.
Previous Legal Action
The descendants filed a related lawsuit in CA in the year 2022, but it was rejected in 2024. An legal challenge was also dismissed in May 2025.
Institution's Statement
The lawsuit states that the institution's buying of the painting was sanctioned by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the museum's curator of Old Masters and a renowned specialist on Nazi art looting. Rousseau and the Met were aware or ought to have been aware that the masterpiece had probably been stolen by the Nazis.
The Met issued a statement that it prioritizes its ongoing pledge to handle Nazi-era claims.
An official remarked: At no time during the institution's custody of the painting was there any documentation that it had once belonged to the family – in fact, that data did not become known until many years after the painting left the institution's holdings.
The Met's sale of the Van Gogh met the Met's guidelines for disposal – namely, it was documented that the artwork was judged to be of inferior standard than other works of the comparable nature in the holdings. Even though The Met upholds its position that this piece entered the inventory and was sold lawfully and well within all standards and procedures, the institution is open to and will review any additional details that is discovered.
BEG's Response
Legal counsel acting for BEG commented: The institution is a renowned institution in Greece. The attempt to take legal action against the institution and the family in the America upon misleadingly incomplete allegations was previously dismissed, on two occasions. We are certain it will be a third time.