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The family members of a Jewish spouses have brought a case against The Met, alleging that a Van Gogh oil painting was looted by the Nazis.

Historical Background

As stated in the court documents, Hedwig and Frederick Stern purchased the artwork, titled Olive Picking, in 1935. The following year, they were compelled to leave their residence in Munich on the eve of World War II.

The suit states that the institution, which purchased the masterpiece in 1956 for a significant sum, should have known it was almost certainly stolen property. The family are now seeking the return of the canvas along with financial restitution.

Since the end of WWII, this plundered piece has been often and discreetly exchanged, acquired and disposed of in and through New York, claims the legal filing.

Forced Emigration

The Stern family fled from the city of Munich to California in 1936 with their large family due to Nazi persecution. Nevertheless, they were prevented from taking the Van Gogh piece, which was produced by the celebrated artist in the late 19th century.

Before they left, Nazi authorities classified the painting as a German cultural asset and prohibited the family from exporting it. Following authorization from a regime representative, a representative appointed by the authorities sold the piece on the Sterns' behalf. However, the funds from the auction were held in a blocked account, which the Nazis later took.

Later Transactions

By 1948, or shortly after, the canvas entered NYC and was bought by a prominent figure, a member of the Astor family. Later, it was sold through a gallery to the Met, which then transferred it to prominent shipowner the magnate and his spouse, Elise, in 1972.

The Greek couple founded the BEG in 1979, which manages a museum in Athens where the painting is currently shown.

Claims and Defenses

BEG and a surviving nephew of the magnate are listed as respondents. The legal action alleges that the defendants and its associated organizations have hidden and obscured the painting's ownership and whereabouts from the plaintiffs.

Currently, the defendants continue to obscure the manner and time the institution came into ownership of the artwork; the family's possession of the artwork from the mid-1930s; and the truth that the regime stole the canvas from the family, coerced the couple into parting with it via a trustee, and confiscated the money of the deal.

Earlier Lawsuits

The descendants submitted a related lawsuit in the state of California in 2022, but it was rejected in the following years. An legal challenge was also denied in spring 2025.

Museum's Response

The complaint states that the museum's acquisition of the artwork was sanctioned by a curator, the institution's specialist of Old Masters and one of the world's foremost experts on Nazi art looting. The curator and the museum must have known that the masterpiece had likely been looted by the Nazis.

The Met issued a statement that it is committed to its historical dedication to handle issues related to WWII.

A spokesperson commented: Never during the museum's possession of the artwork was there any evidence that it had once belonged to the heirs – in fact, that data did not become available until a long time after the painting left the Met's possession.

The institution's deaccessioning of the Van Gogh met the museum's strict criteria for disposal – namely, it was noted that the piece was considered to be of inferior standard than other pieces of the same type in the collection. Although the institution respectfully stands by its view that this artwork entered the holdings and was deaccessioned properly and well within all rules and regulations, the Met welcomes and will consider any further evidence that is discovered.

BEG's Response

Legal counsel acting for the foundation said: BEG is a esteemed foundation in Athens. The action to sue and smear the Foundation and the defendants in the US upon deceptive and insufficient accusations was previously dismissed, on two occasions. We are certain it will be once more.