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The family members of a Jewish couple have initiated legal proceedings against New York's Metropolitan Museum, claiming that a Vincent van Gogh canvas was looted by the Third Reich.

Origins of the Dispute

As stated in the legal filing, Frederick and Hedwig Stern bought the painting, titled Olive Harvest, in 1935. Just one year later, they were obliged to escape their dwelling in Munich on the eve of WWII.

The complaint argues that the museum, which obtained the masterpiece in the 1950s for a significant sum, ought to have been aware it was likely confiscated property. The descendants are now seeking the restitution of the artwork along with compensation.

Since the end of WWII, this stolen artwork has been repeatedly and secretly trafficked, acquired and disposed of in and through NYC, claims the lawsuit.

The Sterns' Escape

The Stern family escaped from their Munich home to the United States in the late 1930s with their large family due to Nazi persecution. Yet, they were unable to bring the Van Gogh piece, which was produced by the celebrated artist in 1889.

Prior to their departure, Nazi authorities classified the artwork as a German cultural asset and prohibited the couple from exporting it. After obtaining permission from a Third Reich agent, a representative designated by the Nazis sold the piece on the couple's behalf. However, the funds from the auction were deposited in a restricted account, which the authorities later confiscated.

Subsequent Ownership

By 1948, or shortly after, the artwork was brought to the United States and was acquired by a prominent figure, among the richest individuals in the US. Eventually, it was sold through a commercial outlet to the museum, which then transferred it to wealthy Greek businessman Basil Goulandris and his partner, Mrs. Goulandris, in 1972.

The Goulandris pair founded the Goulandris Foundation in 1979, which runs a gallery in Athens where the masterpiece is currently shown.

Court Allegations

The foundation and a surviving nephew of the magnate are listed as respondents. The legal action alleges that the family and its related entities have hidden and obscured the masterpiece's history and current place from the heirs.

Currently, the Goulandris Defendants continue to conceal the circumstances the institution came into possession of the piece; the family's possession of the artwork from 1935 to 1938; and the truth that the Nazis looted the artwork from the family, coerced the family into selling it via a Nazi-appointed agent, and confiscated the proceeds of the deal.

Earlier Lawsuits

The descendants submitted a related lawsuit in CA in recently, but it was dismissed in 2024. An legal challenge was also dismissed in recently.

Institution's Statement

The legal action contends that the museum's acquisition of the artwork was approved by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the institution's specialist of Old Masters and a renowned specialist 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 the regime.

The museum responded that it takes seriously its ongoing pledge to address Nazi-era claims.

A spokesperson remarked: Never during The Met's ownership of the piece was there any evidence that it had once belonged to the heirs – in fact, that knowledge did not become known until many years after the masterpiece left the Museum's collection.

The Met's sale of the Van Gogh met the Met's guidelines for removal from collection – specifically, it was documented that the piece was deemed to be of lesser quality than additional artworks of the comparable nature in the inventory. Even though the institution maintains its view that this piece entered the collection and was sold properly and well within all rules and regulations, the Met welcomes and will consider any additional details that is discovered.

Foundation's Defense

William Charron acting for the foundation said: The institution is a renowned institution in Athens. The attempt to litigate and defame the institution and the family in the United States upon deceptive and insufficient accusations was previously dismissed, on two occasions. We are certain it will be once more.