22 May 2025 | Art transactions - risks and responsabilities

The Société de Genève des Arts has kindly invited me to give a talk on art transactions at the Palais Athénée on 22 May 2025. This event is open to the public and can be attended upon registration here: https://societedesarts.ch/evenement/transactions-dart-risques-et-responsabilites/.

Each acquisition of a work of art involves three fundamental checks: authenticity, price, and provenance. Authenticity ensures that the work was indeed created by the claimed artist; the price must be fair and reflect the current market value; and provenance traces the artwork’s history to ensure it has not been stolen or illicitly obtained. These checks are essential to prevent fraud and legal disputes. By reviewing a few recent court decisions, this lecture aims to establish the rules and responsibilities of the parties involved in art transactions and highlights best practices to ensure transparent and secure dealings. It also addresses issues of legal and ethical compliance, the challenges related to looted artworks, and the importance of documentation and traceability.

Image: Société de Genève des Arts