The descendants of a Jewish spouses have brought a case against The Met, claiming that a Van Gogh art piece was looted by Nazi forces.
Historical Background
Per the legal filing, the Stern couple acquired the artwork, titled Olive Harvest, in the mid-1930s. Just one year later, they were forced to flee their residence in Munich, Germany just before World War II.
The suit contends that the museum, which acquired the painting in the mid-1950s for a significant sum, must have realized it was likely looted property. The heirs are now requesting the restitution of the artwork along with damages.
Following World War II, this stolen artwork has been often and discreetly exchanged, purchased and sold in and through New York, alleges the court document.
Family's Flight
The Stern family escaped from the city of Munich to California in 1936 with their large family due to the oppressive Nazi regime. Yet, they were unable to bring the Van Gogh piece, which was created by the Dutch post-impressionist in the late 19th century.
Prior to their departure, Nazi authorities declared the masterpiece as German cultural property and banned the couple from taking it abroad. After obtaining permission from a Nazi official, a representative designated by the regime sold the painting on the family's behalf. Yet, the funds from the sale were held in a frozen account, which the Nazis later confiscated.
Subsequent Ownership
Around 1948, or soon after, the artwork entered the United States and was acquired by Vincent Astor, a member of the Astor family. Later, it was exchanged through a gallery to the Met, which then transferred it to prominent shipowner the magnate and his partner, Mrs. Goulandris, in 1972.
The Goulandris pair set up the BEG in 1979, which runs a museum in Athens where the painting is currently exhibited.
Claims and Defenses
The foundation and a surviving nephew of the magnate are listed as respondents. The legal action claims that the family and its related entities have concealed and disguised the painting's ownership and whereabouts from the family.
To this day, the foundation continue to conceal how and when the institution came into control of the Painting; the Stern family's ownership of the Painting from the mid-1930s; and the reality that the regime confiscated the canvas from the family, forced the couple into selling it via a Nazi-appointed agent, and seized the money of the sale.
Prior Cases
The descendants filed a related lawsuit in the state of California in 2022, but it was dismissed in 2024. An legal challenge was also rejected in spring 2025.
Museum's Response
The lawsuit states that the Met's purchase of the piece was authorized by the museum's expert, the institution's specialist 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 Painting had likely been stolen by the regime.
The institution responded that it takes seriously its ongoing pledge to resolve issues related to WWII.
An official stated: Never during the museum's possession of the piece was there any evidence that it had earlier been possessed to the Stern family – actually, that information did not become known until a long time after the painting left the Museum's collection.
The institution's deaccessioning of the Van Gogh met the museum's strict criteria for removal from collection – in particular, it was recorded that the artwork was judged to be of lesser quality than additional artworks of the similar kind in the collection. While The Met respectfully stands by its position that this piece entered the inventory and was sold properly and well within all rules and regulations, the museum is open to and will review any additional details that comes to light.
Foundation's Defense
Legal counsel acting for the Goulandris Foundation commented: The institution is a renowned institution in Greece. The action to litigate and defame the Foundation and the family in the America upon inaccurate and partial claims was previously dismissed, on two occasions. We are certain it will be a third time.
