Metropolitan Museum Faces Legal Action Over Supposedly Nazi-Looted Van Gogh Artwork
The descendants of a Jewish spouses have initiated legal proceedings against New York's Metropolitan Museum, claiming that a Van Gogh oil painting was seized by the Third Reich.
Case History
Per the lawsuit, Hedwig and Frederick Stern bought the piece, titled Gathering Olives, in 1935. Just one year later, they were compelled to leave their residence in the German city of Munich prior to the Second World War.
The complaint argues that the Met, which purchased the painting in 1956 for a significant sum, ought to have been aware it was likely looted property. The family are now requesting the return of the painting along with financial restitution.
In the decades since World War II, this plundered piece has been often and discreetly exchanged, bought and sold in and through the city of New York, states the court document.
Forced Emigration
Hedwig and Frederick Stern fled from the city of Munich to the United States in 1936 with their six children due to persecution by the Nazis. Nevertheless, they were barred from transporting the artwork, which was painted by the celebrated artist in 1889.
Prior to their departure, the Nazi government classified the artwork as a German cultural asset and prohibited the family from taking it abroad. Once approved from a regime representative, a representative appointed by the Nazis auctioned the piece on the couple's behalf. But, the proceeds from the transaction were placed in a blocked account, which the authorities later took.
Post-War History
By 1948, or not long after, the artwork was brought to New York and was purchased by Vincent Astor, among the richest individuals in the US. Subsequently, it was transferred through a gallery to the Met, which then transferred it to prominent shipowner the magnate and his spouse, Elise, in the early 1970s.
Basil and Elise founded the BEG in 1979, which runs a gallery in Athens, Greece where the artwork is currently exhibited.
Legal Arguments
BEG and a living relative of the magnate are listed as respondents. The lawsuit states that the family and its affiliates have concealed and disguised the masterpiece's history and location from the heirs.
Even now, the foundation continue to hide the manner and time the BEG came into ownership of the artwork; the Stern family's ownership of the artwork from the mid-1930s; and the reality that the regime looted the artwork from the Stern family, coerced the family into disposing of it via a Nazi-appointed agent, and took the money of the transaction.
Earlier Lawsuits
The family initiated a comparable case in CA in the year 2022, but it was thrown out in 2024. An legal challenge was also denied in spring 2025.
Institution's Statement
The complaint contends that the Met's purchase of the painting was authorized by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the museum's curator of European art and a renowned specialist on Nazi-era looted art. Rousseau and the Met must have known that the Painting had almost certainly been stolen by Nazis.
The Met issued a statement that it prioritizes its ongoing pledge to resolve issues related to WWII.
A representative remarked: Not once during the museum's possession of the painting was there any documentation that it had once belonged to the Stern family – in fact, that information did not become accessible until many years after the masterpiece left the Met's possession.
The Met's sale of Olive Picking met the museum's strict criteria for removal from collection – namely, it was recorded that the work was judged to be of lower caliber than additional artworks of the similar kind in the holdings. While the institution maintains its view that this piece entered the inventory and was deaccessioned lawfully and well within all rules and regulations, the institution invites and will examine any further evidence that comes to light.
BEG's Response
William Charron representing the Goulandris Foundation stated: The institution is a esteemed foundation in Greece. The attempt to litigate and defame the Foundation and the family in the United States upon misleadingly incomplete allegations was earlier rejected, on two occasions. We are certain it will be once more.
