A UK court ruled that Hauser & Wirth did not violate Russia sanctions when it sold an artwork by George Condo to Alexander Popov, a figure purportedly connected to Russia. The criminal charges were dismissed after prosecutors failed to prove that Popov was a Russian resident at the time of the sale.
The case, brought by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), marked the first sanction-related accusation against the Swiss-based gallery, which operates 17 locations worldwide, including two in the UK. The transaction involved a work on paper titled Escape from Humanity (2021), sold in 2022. The legal dispute also involved Artay Rauchwerger Solomons, an art shipping company based in Marylebone.
Hauser & Wirth’s defense argued that a shipping company erroneously recorded the delivery address as being in Moscow when it should have been Armenia. They maintained that Popov was never sanctioned, had distanced himself from the Russian government, renounced Russian citizenship, and owned properties outside Russia, including in Bosnia and Armenia. Prosecutors countered by describing Popov and his wife as collectors based in Russia, but the court found this insufficient for sanction violations.
Judge Tony Baumgardner highlighted the prosecution’s inability to prove Popov’s connection to Russia as a decisive factor in dismissing all charges. The gallery expressed satisfaction with the outcome, reiterating its commitment to comply with legal obligations regarding sanctions.
George Condo recently rejoined Hauser & Wirth, renewing a relationship that dates back to 2019 after a brief period with another gallery. Upcoming exhibitions featuring Condo’s new and historical works have been announced for the gallery’s locations in Paris and Palo Alto.
The UK imposed wide-ranging sanctions against Russia in March 2022, banning exports of luxury goods including artworks valued above a certain threshold, to limit access for Russian oligarchs and elites. This ban targeted luxury vehicles, high-end fashion, and artworks among others, alongside steep import taxes on Russian products. The measures followed sanctions against prominent Russian oligarchs known for their art collections, aiming to curtail their luxury purchases amid geopolitical tensions.