| Admin/Biog History | In 1985 John Barry Durant obtained a chalk drawing from a dealer in Wales, which was later attributed as being the work of Sir Pieter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). In 1987, Durant took the picture to Sotheby's in London with the intention of selling it. They failed to do this and over the next few years, Sotheby's sent the picture to Amsterdam for inclusion in an auction, and then allegedly to the Detroit Museum of Art for their views on its authenticity. The picture was not returned to Durant and, in 1990 Sotheby's declared it had been lost. In 1994, Durant first initiated steps against the auction house to recover it and, in 1999, Sewell was asked to give his expert opinion on the authenticity and value of the missing picture. Durant's case was heard in the Chancery Division of The High Court of Justice in 2000. |
| Description | Material includes:
-photocopy of a sale catalogue, dated 14 November 1988, showing the description for Hygieia Feeding the Serpent, attributed to Rubens
-first Statement of John Barry Durant, dated 13 January 1994
-three letters between Sewell and R. A. Pitts-Tucker, Pitts-Tucker & Co, Solicitors & Privy Council Agents, dated 11 November 1999-23 November 2000, concerning observations on the drawing and Sewell's statement
-Expert Witness Statement and exhibits of Brian Sewell, dated July 2000 |