Last week Year 12 and 13 students studying Russian attended a lecture at St Paul’s Girls’ School titled ‘The Dark Side of the Boom: The Mass Faking of Soviet Avant-Garde art’. James Butterwick, a British art dealer, collector, and expert in the field of Ukrainian and Russian art from 1880 to 1930 delivered a thrilling and engaging talk, outlining the events of multiple forgeries of Soviet avant-garde art.

Not only did he introduce the historical and cultural phenomenon of the Avant-Garde, but he also explained the elements of various genuine and in-genuine paintings, how to recognise a real masterpiece and the corrupt corporations behind the (false) authentication of these ‘gobbing fakes’.

It was really interesting to learn all about the Russian culture of 19th and 20th centuries from the perspective of someone who was once in the same situation as Sixth Form students - learning the language from scratch and developing an interest in the culture as a non-native speaker.

Butterwick also delivered some anecdotes about his experience of Soviet and modern-day Russia and the ability of the art world to thrive or suffer under it. Students left full of excitement about this fascinating topic, about meeting learners of Russian from different London schools and full of amazing Russian honey cake as well!

It was an all-round great experience.

Article written by Nina and Estefania, Year 12 students