Home›News Center›SGS Art Services Expertise at 'Risks, Rules and Opportunities in Investments in Art' Conference

March 8, 2016

On February 12, 2016, SGS attended and participated in 'Risks, rules and opportunities in investments in Art', a conference in Paris, organized by the Art Law Foundation (FDA) in collaboration with the Association of Lawyers Council of Business (ACE).

During this event, an interactive workshop on the theme 'Art Market and Compliance' discussing compliance issues in the art market, such as the origin and the authentication of an artwork. Yan Walther, Managing Director, SGS Art Services, was part of the expert panel. He explained the potential risks related to an artwork: when it is lent for an exhibition by a collector, the artwork can be damaged during the logistics process, with disclaimer from the carrier or museum, or it can also be substituted; retouches can mask damage or restoration work; the risk of buying a fake is also to be considered. Yan Walther then provided advice on due diligence when a buyer acquires an artwork.

With the globalization of the art market and the volume of sales constantly growing, SGS helps participants in the art market to monitor the conservation of artworks:

  • Artwork technical analysis based on accurate scientific data - SGS has state-of-the-art laboratories to characterize the materials and techniques used in order to authenticate, date or better maintain the state of conservation of an artwork
  • Condition reports - SGS has established a global network of accredited conservation scientists and paintings conservators and has standardized procedures to accurately document and monitor the state of conservation of the artwork (sales, exhibition, etc.)
  • Inventory and documentation of collections - SGS performs comprehensive inventories and accurate systematic documentation to manage a collection in a professional way
  • Procedures and Certification - SGS helps to implement internal or collective standard procedures (good practices against money laundering, against illicit trafficking, etc.) and demonstrate their application (audits)

To find out more about our arts and culture services, please visit our website SGS Arts Services.

For further information, please contact:

Yan Walther
SGS Art Services
Managing Director
1, place des Alpes
P.O. Box 2152
CH-1211 Geneva 1
t: +41 22 739 95 49
m: +41 78 924 89 28

About SGS

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS SA issued this content on 08 March 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 08 March 2016 11:48:37 UTC

Original Document: http://www.sgs.com/en/news/2016/03/sgs-art-services-expertise-at-risks-rules-and-opportunities-in-investments-in-art-conference