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The descendants of a Jewish couple have filed a lawsuit against The Met, alleging that a the Dutch artist canvas was stolen by Nazi forces.

Case History

Per the court documents, Hedwig and Frederick Stern acquired the painting, titled Olive Picking, in 1935. A year after, they were compelled to leave their home in Munich prior to the Second World War.

The suit contends that the institution, which purchased the masterpiece in the 1950s for one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars, must have realized it was probably looted property. The family are now seeking the return of the canvas along with compensation.

Since the end of WWII, this Nazi-looted painting has been frequently and covertly traded, purchased and sold in and through New York, claims the legal filing.

Forced Emigration

The Sterns departed from Munich to America in the late 1930s with their offspring due to persecution by the Nazis. Yet, they were barred from transporting the artwork, which was created by the celebrated artist in 1889.

Before the family's emigration, Nazi authorities classified the painting as a German cultural asset and forbade the Sterns from exporting it. After obtaining permission from a Nazi official, a agent assigned by the regime disposed of the artwork on the couple's behalf. But, the proceeds from the sale were deposited in a restricted account, which the Nazis later seized.

Post-War History

By 1948, or not long after, the artwork was brought to NYC and was bought by a prominent figure, one of America's wealthiest people. Subsequently, it was exchanged through a commercial outlet to the Met, which then sold it to prominent shipowner the magnate and his spouse, Elise Goulandris, in 1972.

The Greek couple established the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation in the late 1970s, which operates a museum in the Greek capital where the masterpiece is currently exhibited.

Court Allegations

The foundation and a family member of the magnate are named as defendants. The legal action states that the family and its associated organizations have concealed and disguised the painting's ownership and whereabouts from the heirs.

To this day, the defendants continue to hide the manner and time the foundation came into control of the Painting; the Stern family's ownership of the artwork from 1935 to 1938; and the truth that the Third Reich confiscated the canvas from the Stern family, coerced the couple into disposing of it via a trustee, and took the money of the deal.

Earlier Lawsuits

The family submitted a related lawsuit in California in recently, but it was thrown out in 2024. An appeal was also rejected in spring 2025.

Museum's Response

The complaint states that the museum's acquisition of the artwork was sanctioned by the museum's expert, the museum's curator of European art and one of the world's foremost experts on Nazi art looting. Rousseau and the Met knew or should have known that the Painting had almost certainly been looted by the regime.

The Met issued a statement that it is committed to its ongoing pledge to address issues related to WWII.

A spokesperson commented: At no time during the museum's possession of the painting was there any evidence that it had once belonged to the family – actually, that knowledge did not become known until a long time after the painting left the institution's holdings.

The museum's disposal of the Van Gogh met the institution's rigorous standards for deaccessioning – namely, it was noted that the work was considered to be of lower caliber than other pieces of the similar kind in the inventory. Although The Met maintains its stance that this artwork entered the holdings and was sold lawfully and well within all guidelines and policies, the museum invites and will examine any further evidence that emerges.

Goulandris Statement

Legal counsel representing the foundation said: BEG is a highly prestigious organization in the Greek capital. The attempt to sue and smear the organization and the family in the US upon deceptive and insufficient accusations was earlier rejected, on two occasions. We are certain it will be a third time.