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The descendants of a Jewish spouses have brought a case against The Met, asserting that a the Dutch artist art piece was stolen by Nazi forces.

Historical Background

As stated in the legal filing, Frederick and Hedwig Stern bought the painting, titled Olive Harvest, in the mid-1930s. The following year, they were obliged to escape their dwelling in Munich just before WWII.

The legal action contends that the museum, which purchased the artwork in the 1950s for $125,000, must have realized it was likely confiscated property. The family are now demanding the restitution of the canvas along with financial restitution.

Following WWII, this Nazi-looted painting has been repeatedly and secretly trafficked, purchased and sold in and through New York, claims the legal filing.

Family's Flight

Hedwig and Frederick Stern escaped from the city of Munich to the United States in the late 1930s with their large family due to Nazi persecution. Nevertheless, they were prevented from taking the artwork, which was produced by the Dutch post-impressionist in 1889.

Before the family's emigration, the Nazi government declared the artwork as a German cultural asset and forbade the couple from exporting it. After obtaining permission from a regime representative, a representative assigned by the Nazis auctioned the piece on the couple's behalf. But, the funds from the auction were deposited in a restricted account, which the Nazis later confiscated.

Subsequent Ownership

By 1948, or not long after, the painting was brought to NYC and was purchased by a prominent figure, one of America's wealthiest people. Subsequently, it was exchanged through a commercial outlet to the Met, which then transferred it to Greek shipping magnate Goulandris and his spouse, Mrs. Goulandris, in the early 1970s.

Basil and Elise established the BEG in 1979, which manages a gallery in Athens where the artwork is currently on display.

Legal Arguments

The institution and a living relative of the magnate are listed as respondents. The legal action states that the family and its affiliates have hidden and obscured the painting's ownership and whereabouts from the family.

To this day, the foundation continue to obscure the manner and time the foundation came into possession of the piece; the family's possession of the masterpiece from several years; and the truth that the Nazis looted the artwork from the Stern family, forced the family into disposing of it via a regime representative, and confiscated the money of the sale.

Earlier Lawsuits

The family initiated a related lawsuit in CA in 2022, but it was thrown out in 2024. An legal challenge was also dismissed in May 2025.

Institution's Statement

The legal action argues that the institution's buying of the piece was approved by a curator, the museum's curator of Old Masters and one of the world's foremost experts on Nazi-era looted art. The curator and the museum must have known that the masterpiece had probably been looted by the regime.

The institution said in a statement that it prioritizes its historical dedication to address Nazi-era claims.

A representative commented: Not once during the museum's possession of the piece was there any evidence that it had previously been owned to the Stern family – actually, that data did not become accessible until many years after the painting left the Met's possession.

The institution's deaccessioning of the Van Gogh met the Met's guidelines for removal from collection – specifically, it was recorded that the artwork was judged to be of inferior standard than additional artworks of the similar kind in the inventory. While The Met respectfully stands by its position that this work entered the collection and was removed properly and well within all standards and procedures, the museum is open to and will review any additional details that emerges.

BEG's Response

Legal counsel acting for the Goulandris Foundation commented: The Goulandris Foundation is a esteemed foundation in the Greek capital. The attempt to take legal action against the Foundation and the Goulandris family in the United States upon misleadingly incomplete allegations was earlier rejected, on two occasions. We are convinced it will be again.