Yan Walther (Global Manager for SGS Art Services)

After obtaining an MA at Lausanne University (Switzerland), Yan Walther worked on the production and organization of several international cultural projects in Switzerland and Russia (opera, theater, exhibitions), later managing a family office in Geneva until 2009, when he joined the team that created and launched the Fine Arts Expert Institute (FAEI) in the Geneva Freeport, becoming its Executive Director in 2011. FAEI, which Yan managed until 2015, was one of the first private institutes in the world dedicated to the technical examination of artworks and cultural objects. In 2015, Yan joined the SGS group to create the SGS Art Services Department, specializing in technical examination (forensic analysis) and condition reporting for artworks. In 2017, Walther was listed as the second most influential Art World Entrepreneur by Sotheby’s Institute.

Jia Peng (Special Advisor for SGS Art Services, Senior Conservator and Restorer of Oil Paintings)

Jia Peng holds a BFA in oil painting from the Central Academy of Fine Art, and and MA in Conservation and Restoration of Oil Paintings from the Ecole Supérieure d’Art d’Avignon in France, where he is a certified conservator and restorer of paintings. He is a member of Maison des Artistes, Fédération Française des Professionnels de la Conservation-Restauration, and The International Council of Museums. In China, he has begun to offer his expertise on cultural heritage conservation and restoration. His restoration projects include large-scale paintings attributed to Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres from the National Academy of Fine Arts in Paris, and Le Grande Dauphin in the Calvet Museum of Avignon. Jia is currently leading conservation projects for Frank Gehry’s and Gerhard Richter’s work with the Louis Vuitton Foundation.

SGS Art Services

SGS is the world's premier company in art inspection, verification, testing, and certification. SGS Art Services’ facilities include a fully equipped, cutting-edge laboratory for the analysis of artworks and cultural objects based in Geneva Freeport, operated by senior analysts and conservation experts. SGS Art Services also boasts a global network of art conservators and experts. Thanks to SGS’ multidisciplinary expertise, global footprint, and reputation, SGS Art Services provides independent, high-quality, reliable, and professional 3rd party services for leading museums, galleries, auction houses, private collectors, transportation and logistics companies, and financial and insurance companies in the art world.