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The descendants of a Jewish spouses have brought a case against The Met, alleging that a the Dutch artist canvas was looted by the Third Reich.

Case History

According to the court documents, the Stern couple bought the painting, titled Gathering Olives, in the mid-1930s. Just one year later, they were forced to flee their home in Munich, Germany just before WWII.

The suit contends that the institution, which purchased the masterpiece in the mid-1950s for $125,000, must have realized it was likely confiscated property. The descendants are now requesting the restitution of the canvas along with damages.

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

Forced Emigration

The Sterns fled from their Munich home to California in the late 1930s with their large family due to persecution by the Nazis. Nevertheless, they were prevented from taking the Van Gogh piece, which was produced by the celebrated artist in the late 19th century.

Prior to their departure, the Nazi government classified the masterpiece as property of the state and prohibited the family from taking it abroad. Following authorization from a regime representative, a trustee appointed by the regime disposed of the painting on the family's behalf. However, the proceeds from the auction were placed in a frozen account, which the regime later took.

Post-War History

In 1948, or not long after, the canvas arrived in the United States and was bought by Vincent Astor, one of America's wealthiest people. Later, it was sold through a art dealer to the museum, which then sold it to wealthy Greek businessman Goulandris and his partner, Mrs. Goulandris, in the early 1970s.

The Greek couple established the BEG in the late 1970s, which runs a institution in the Greek capital where the masterpiece is currently on display.

Court Allegations

BEG and a living relative of the magnate are named as defendants. The legal action claims that the family and its related entities have covered up the artwork's provenance and current place from the family.

Currently, the defendants continue to hide the manner and time the BEG came into ownership of the Painting; the family's possession of the Painting from several years; and the reality that the Nazis stole the artwork from the heirs, coerced the Sterns into selling it via a trustee, and took the funds of the deal.

Prior Cases

The descendants submitted a related lawsuit in the state of California in the year 2022, but it was dismissed in the following years. An appeal was also denied in recently.

Museum's Response

The complaint states that the Met's purchase of the painting was approved by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the institution's specialist of Old Masters and a leading authority on art theft during the Nazi era. Rousseau and the Met were aware or ought to have been aware that the artwork had likely been looted by the Nazis.

The institution responded that it takes seriously its historical dedication to resolve claims from the Nazi period.

A representative remarked: At no time during the museum's possession of the painting was there any evidence that it had once belonged to the family – indeed, that knowledge did not become available until several decades after the masterpiece left the Museum's collection.

The museum's disposal of the Van Gogh met the Met's guidelines for removal from collection – namely, it was recorded that the work was considered to be of inferior standard than other pieces of the similar kind in the holdings. Even though the museum upholds its position that this piece entered the holdings and was removed legally and well within all guidelines and policies, the museum is open to and will review any additional details that emerges.

BEG's Response

A lawyer acting for the Goulandris Foundation stated: BEG is a esteemed foundation in Athens. The attempt to take legal action against the Foundation and the defendants in the America upon misleadingly incomplete allegations was earlier rejected, on two occasions. We are certain it will be again.