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The heirs of a Jewish couple have brought a case against New York's Metropolitan Museum, alleging that a Vincent van Gogh oil painting was looted by the Nazis.

Origins of the Dispute

According to the court documents, the Stern couple acquired the painting, titled Olive Picking, in the mid-1930s. The following year, they were forced to flee their dwelling in Munich prior to the Second World War.

The legal action contends that the institution, which acquired the masterpiece in 1956 for $125,000, ought to have been aware it was probably confiscated property. The descendants are now seeking the return of the canvas along with compensation.

Following WWII, this stolen artwork has been often and discreetly exchanged, purchased and sold in and through NYC, claims the legal filing.

The Sterns' Escape

The Sterns fled from the city of Munich to America in 1936 with their offspring due to Nazi persecution. Nevertheless, they were prevented from taking the Van Gogh piece, which was created by the renowned Dutch in 1889.

Prior to their departure, Nazi authorities classified the artwork as property of the state and banned the Sterns from taking it abroad. After obtaining permission from a Nazi official, a representative assigned by the regime auctioned the artwork on the Sterns' behalf. But, the funds from the transaction were deposited in a blocked account, which the Nazis later took.

Subsequent Ownership

Around 1948, or shortly after, the artwork entered the United States and was acquired by a prominent figure, among the richest individuals in the US. Subsequently, it was sold through a commercial outlet to the museum, which then sold it to prominent shipowner Goulandris and his spouse, Elise Goulandris, in 1972.

The Greek couple founded the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation in 1979, which manages a institution in Athens where the painting is currently exhibited.

Court Allegations

The institution and a family member of Goulandris are listed as respondents. The legal action alleges that the Goulandris family and its related entities have covered up the artwork's provenance and location from the family.

Currently, the foundation continue to obscure how and when the BEG came into ownership of the piece; the couple's ownership of the masterpiece from several years; and the truth that the Third Reich confiscated the artwork from the family, coerced the Sterns into parting with it via a trustee, and seized the proceeds of the sale.

Earlier Lawsuits

The descendants initiated a similar complaint in CA in 2022, but it was rejected in 2024. An further action was also dismissed in recently.

The Met's Position

The lawsuit argues that the Met's purchase of the artwork was approved by the museum's expert, the institution's specialist of Old Masters and a leading authority on Nazi art looting. Rousseau and the Met were aware or ought to have been aware that the masterpiece had probably been looted by Nazis.

The museum said in a statement that it is committed to its historical dedication to address issues related to WWII.

A spokesperson stated: At no time during the museum's possession of the painting was there any documentation that it had previously been owned to the Stern family – actually, that information did not become known until several decades after the masterpiece left the Museum's collection.

The Met's sale of the Van Gogh met the museum's strict criteria for disposal – namely, it was documented that the artwork was considered to be of lesser quality than other works of the comparable nature in the holdings. Even though the institution upholds its view that this artwork entered the inventory and was removed legally and well within all standards and procedures, the museum is open to and will review any further evidence that is discovered.

Foundation's Defense

Legal counsel on behalf of the foundation stated: The institution is a esteemed foundation in Athens. The effort to take legal action against the Foundation and the Goulandris family in the America upon deceptive and insufficient accusations was previously dismissed, on two occasions. We are certain it will be a third time.