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The heirs of a Jewish pair have initiated legal proceedings against New York's Metropolitan Museum, claiming that a Van Gogh canvas was seized by the Third Reich.

Case History

As stated in the legal filing, Frederick and Hedwig Stern acquired the painting, titled Gathering Olives, in the year 1935. A year after, they were forced to flee their home in Munich just before WWII.

The legal action states that the institution, which obtained the masterpiece in 1956 for a significant sum, ought to have been aware it was likely looted property. The family are now requesting the repatriation of the canvas along with financial restitution.

Following the war, this plundered piece has been frequently and covertly traded, acquired and disposed of in and through NYC, states the court document.

Family's Flight

Hedwig and Frederick Stern escaped from Munich to America in 1936 with their large family due to the oppressive Nazi regime. However, they were unable to bring the painting, which was created by the renowned Dutch in 1889.

Prior to their departure, Nazi authorities designated the masterpiece as a German cultural asset and prohibited the Sterns from bringing it with them. Following authorization from a Third Reich agent, a representative designated by the regime sold the piece on the Sterns' behalf. But, the proceeds from the sale were placed in a blocked account, which the regime later took.

Later Transactions

Around 1948, or not long after, the artwork entered New York and was acquired by Vincent Astor, a member of the Astor family. Later, it was exchanged through a gallery to the institution, which then sold it to wealthy Greek businessman Goulandris and his wife, Mrs. Goulandris, in the early 1970s.

The Greek couple set up the BEG in 1979, which manages a gallery in Athens where the painting is currently on display.

Court Allegations

BEG and a family member of the magnate are named as defendants. The legal action states that the defendants and its related entities have hidden and obscured the masterpiece's history and current place from the plaintiffs.

Currently, the Goulandris Defendants continue to obscure how and when the institution came into ownership of the Painting; the family's possession of the artwork from the mid-1930s; and the facts that the Third Reich stole the artwork from the Stern family, pressured the Sterns into selling it via a trustee, and confiscated the proceeds of the sale.

Previous Legal Action

The family submitted a comparable case in CA in the year 2022, but it was dismissed in 2024. An further action was also dismissed in spring 2025.

Institution's Statement

The legal action contends that the Met's purchase of the piece was sanctioned by the museum's expert, the institution's specialist of European paintings and one of the world's foremost experts on art theft during the Nazi era. Rousseau and the Met were aware or ought to have been aware that the Painting had probably been looted by the regime.

The museum responded that it takes seriously its longstanding commitment to resolve issues related to WWII.

A representative commented: Never during the museum's possession of the artwork was there any record that it had previously been owned to the heirs – indeed, that data did not become accessible until many years after the painting left the institution's holdings.

The Met's sale of the Van Gogh met the institution's rigorous standards for deaccessioning – specifically, it was recorded that the artwork was considered to be of lesser quality than other works of the comparable nature in the collection. Although the institution respectfully stands by its stance that this artwork entered the inventory and was removed lawfully and well within all rules and regulations, the institution welcomes and will consider any further evidence that is discovered.

Foundation's Defense

Legal counsel on behalf of the foundation said: The institution is a esteemed foundation in Greece. The attempt to sue and smear the Foundation and the family in the United States upon inaccurate and partial claims was earlier rejected, multiple times. We are certain it will be a third time.