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Sinclair Gibson was delighted to co-host, in collaboration with the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, their seventh annual ‘Moving Art’ event, which took place at the firm’s offices last week. The evening was introduced by Sinclair Gibson’s own, William Hancock and then Luke Harris of 5 Stone Buildings presented a thought-provoking speech on ‘Fakes, forgeries and the art of litigation’. Luke then joined a panel which included Hannah Southon and Caroline Widmer as questions were opened to the floor.

The panel discussion examined the question of attribution and art, as an expression of fact or opinion, in various contexts, over two centuries. The degree of certainty to which a work may have been graded (Name only, ‘attributed to’, ‘studio of’, ‘a circle of’, ‘style/follower of’, ‘manner of’, ‘after’), the duty owed and the related standard of care. From there the examination proceeded to a consideration of overlapping strands of evidence, technical evidence and connoisseurship. There were questions for the panel on the trial process, the evaluation of opposing evidence, the potential of artificial intelligence and communications around works said to be inauthentic.

Finally, guests heard from the Swiss Cultural Fund (SCF) and (in staying with the theme) the formal part of the evening was then followed by a Swiss cheese and wine reception.