🔗 Share this article

The descendants of a Jewish couple have filed a lawsuit against The Metropolitan Museum of Art, alleging that a the Dutch artist canvas was seized by the Nazis.

Origins of the Dispute

As stated in the court documents, Hedwig and Frederick Stern purchased the artwork, titled Olive Picking, in 1935. A year after, they were compelled to leave their home in Munich just before World War II.

The complaint states that the institution, which obtained the artwork in the 1950s for one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars, must have realized it was probably confiscated property. The family are now requesting the return of the artwork along with compensation.

In the decades since the war, this plundered piece has been often and discreetly exchanged, purchased and sold in and through New York, alleges the legal filing.

The Sterns' Escape

The Sterns escaped from the city of Munich to the United States in 1936 with their large family due to persecution by the Nazis. Nevertheless, they were barred from transporting 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 painting as German cultural property and forbade the family from taking it abroad. Once approved from a Third Reich agent, a trustee assigned by the Nazis auctioned the piece on the couple's behalf. But, the proceeds from the transaction were placed in a blocked account, which the authorities later seized.

Post-War History

By 1948, or shortly after, the artwork was brought to New York and was bought by Vincent Astor, a member of the Astor family. Subsequently, it was exchanged through a commercial outlet to the Met, which then sold it to prominent shipowner the magnate and his partner, Mrs. Goulandris, in 1972.

The Goulandris pair set up the Goulandris Foundation in 1979, which manages a gallery in the Greek capital where the painting is currently exhibited.

Legal Arguments

The institution and a family member of Goulandris are identified in the suit. The legal action alleges that the Goulandris family and its associated organizations have covered up the artwork's provenance and current place from the plaintiffs.

Currently, the foundation continue to conceal the manner and time the institution came into possession of the Painting; the family's possession of the artwork from 1935 to 1938; and the facts that the Nazis stole the Painting from the Stern family, forced the couple into parting with it via a regime representative, and seized the funds of the sale.

Prior Cases

The descendants filed a related lawsuit in CA in 2022, but it was thrown out in the following years. An further action was also rejected in recently.

Institution's Statement

The complaint contends that the museum's acquisition of the artwork was approved by Theodore Rousseau Jr, the Met's authority of European art and one of the world's foremost experts on Nazi-era looted art. The curator and the museum were aware or ought to have been aware that the artwork had likely been seized by the Nazis.

The institution responded that it is committed to its historical dedication to resolve issues related to WWII.

An official stated: Never during the museum's possession of the painting was there any evidence that it had previously been owned to the family – actually, that knowledge did not become accessible until a long time after the artwork left the Met's possession.

The museum's disposal of the artwork met the Met's guidelines for disposal – specifically, it was recorded that the work was deemed to be of lower caliber than other works of the comparable nature in the collection. Although The Met upholds its position that this work entered the collection and was sold lawfully and well within all guidelines and policies, the institution is open to and will review any additional details that is discovered.

Goulandris Statement

Legal counsel representing the Goulandris Foundation said: The Goulandris Foundation is a esteemed foundation in Greece. The effort to sue and smear the institution and the Goulandris family in the US upon deceptive and insufficient accusations was already thrown out, twice. We are certain it will be a third time.