The first ever centre for examining fine art and photographs was opened on December 6 by the culture ministry’s Department for Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition.

A painting drawn by painter Nguyễn Đông in January 2018 featuring a Hanoian girl, a copy of which was auctioned in Hà Nội later with a fake signature of noted painter Vũ Giáng Hương (1930-2011). The case has stirred concerns of fake artworks in domestic and foreign markets.

Vi Kiến Thành, director of the department, said the centre was opened after eight months of preparation due to the fact that there have been many convincing imitations of famous artists’ works sold in the country.

“The centre will work as a public service,” Thành said. “While no other individual or organisation wants to take responsibility to examine art works, the State-run department will do the work for a short time so the fine arts market is transparent. Maybe after a short time, some agency will take on the duty.”

The centre will receive submissions and give feedback within seven days. A contract will be signed, and the centre will issue a report on the authenticity of the works after 15 days.

For cases that require high-tech skills, the centre will ask for support from the Ministry of Public Security’s National Institute of Criminal Sciences. The results may be issued later according to agreements between customers and the centre.

The centre’s examining council includes various prestigious names including painters Lương Xuân Đoàn and Thành Chương, researcher Phan Cẩm Thượng, sculptors Vương Học Báo and Lê Lạng Lương and photographer Vũ Quốc Khánh.

Customers will pay the council an examination fee that will vary based on the number of works to be inspected. The fee for examining one to three works will be VNĐ35 million (US$1,500), four to 10 works costs VNĐ70 million, 11 to 20 works costs VNĐ140 million and more than 50 costs VNĐ281 million. — VNS