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The family members of a Jewish couple have initiated legal proceedings against New York's Metropolitan Museum, asserting that a Vincent van Gogh canvas was seized by Nazi forces.

Historical Background

As stated in the court documents, Frederick and Hedwig Stern acquired the artwork, titled Gathering Olives, in the year 1935. The following year, they were forced to flee their dwelling in Munich just before WWII.

The complaint states that the museum, which purchased the masterpiece in 1956 for one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars, should have known it was probably looted property. The heirs are now seeking the return of the artwork along with compensation.

Following the war, this plundered piece has been often and discreetly exchanged, bought and sold in and through the city of New York, alleges the lawsuit.

The Sterns' Escape

Hedwig and Frederick Stern departed from Munich to California in 1936 with their offspring due to Nazi persecution. Nevertheless, they were prevented from taking the Van Gogh piece, which was produced by the celebrated artist in 1889.

Before they left, the Nazi government classified the artwork as German cultural property and prohibited the family from bringing it with them. Once approved from a Third Reich agent, a representative appointed by the Nazis disposed of the artwork on the family's behalf. Yet, the funds from the auction were placed in a frozen account, which the authorities later confiscated.

Subsequent Ownership

Around 1948, or shortly after, the artwork entered the United States and was bought by a prominent figure, one of America's wealthiest people. Eventually, it was sold through a gallery to the museum, which then transferred it to wealthy Greek businessman Goulandris and his wife, Elise Goulandris, in 1972.

The Greek couple founded the BEG in 1979, which runs a institution in Athens where the painting is currently on display.

Claims and Defenses

The institution and a family member of Goulandris are identified in the suit. The lawsuit claims that the defendants and its associated organizations have concealed and disguised the artwork's provenance and current place from the family.

Even now, the foundation continue to conceal how and when the foundation came into control of the Painting; the Stern family's ownership of the masterpiece from 1935 to 1938; and the truth that the Nazis confiscated the Painting from the Stern family, coerced the couple into selling it via a Nazi-appointed agent, and confiscated the money of the transaction.

Earlier Lawsuits

The family initiated a similar complaint in California in 2022, but it was dismissed in 2024. An further action was also denied in May 2025.

The Met's Position

The lawsuit contends that the Met's purchase of the piece was sanctioned by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the institution's specialist 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 Painting had probably been looted by the regime.

The institution issued a statement that it takes seriously its ongoing pledge to resolve Nazi-era claims.

A spokesperson remarked: Never during The Met's ownership of the piece was there any evidence that it had previously been owned to the Stern family – in fact, that information did not become known until several decades after the artwork left the institution's holdings.

The institution's deaccessioning of the artwork met the institution's rigorous standards for removal from collection – namely, it was documented that the piece was considered to be of lower caliber than other pieces of the same type in the holdings. Although The Met respectfully stands by its position that this piece entered the collection and was deaccessioned lawfully and well within all rules and regulations, the Met welcomes and will consider any additional details that is discovered.

Goulandris Statement

A lawyer on behalf of the Goulandris Foundation commented: The Goulandris Foundation is a highly prestigious organization in Athens. The action to take legal action against the institution and the defendants in the US upon deceptive and insufficient accusations was already thrown out, twice. We are convinced it will be again.