The heirs of a Jewish collector sue the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York and the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation in Athens over the secret sale of Van Gogh’s ‘La cueillette des olives’ (Picking Olives), allegedly looted by the Nazis.
The painting by the famous Post-Impressionist painter was confiscated by the Third Reich to Fritz Stern, a collector of German Jewish origin, after fleeing with his wife, Hedwig Stern, from Munich to Berkeley through the nazi persecution at the end of 1936.
There are nine descendants of the latter who have initiated legal actions against the New York museum and the aforementioned Greek foundation in the Federal District Court for Northern California in Oakland. The lawsuit argues that the METsold the Van Gogh in 1972 to the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation without the knowledge of its owner, who had allegedly sought its restitution.
According to the specialized portal ‘The Art Newspaper’, the painting was acquired, quietly withdrawn and finally sold under the direction of Theodore Rousseau, the museum’s chief curator and deputy director, a member of the celebrated Monuments Men who tried to track down art looted by the Nazis during and after World War II. The plaintiffs allege that Rousseau was “knowingly unaware or aware” of the provenance issues surrounding ‘La cueillette des olives’ and the work was sold to Gianni Agnielli, an “Italian industrialist” and partner of the Marlborough Gallery.
“Abuse of public trust”
‘The New York Times’ broke the news of its sale in 1972, calling it a “unusual action”, since the Met “had not previously gotten rid of works of the quality of Van Gogh.” The Art Dealers Association of America also called the operation an “abuse of public trust”, since the withdrawal of important works must be publicly announced to give other art institutions the first opportunity to acquire.
In a statement sent to ‘Art News’, the MET points out that: «The sale of ‘La cueillette des olives’ complied with the strict museum criteria for the assignment; specifically, it was recorded that the work it was considered of lower quality than other similar ones in the collection. While the MET respectfully maintains its position that this work entered the collection and was removed legally and within all guidelines and policies, the museum welcomes and will consider any new information that comes to light.”
The piece is currently on display in the Athens museum of the foundation of the late Greek shipping magnate Basil Goulandris and his wife, Elise. According to the complaint, Stern’s heirs have been in contact with representatives of the Basil Foundation, but have not been able to reach an agreement on his return. However, a spokesman for the institution has stated to ‘The Art Newspaper’ that “they had not been officially informed” of no action related to the complaint of ‘La cueillette des olives and “therefore we cannot comment on it.”