On 11 September, Graduate House was delighted to welcome Professor Saskia Hufnagel, who presented a compelling seminar as part of the postgraduate series, exploring the intersection of law and art forgeries. Joining her at the formal dinner was her husband, Professor Colin King, also a Professor of Law at the University of Sydney.
Prof Hufnagel’s talk delved into the legal and ethical tensions that arise when forged artworks are discovered. Surprisingly, such cases rarely reach the courtroom. Institutions—whether museums, galleries, or private collectors—often prefer to settle quietly with sellers or avoid public scrutiny altogether, fearing reputational damage. Among the many intriguing examples she discussed was the alleged Brett Whiteley forgery, Orange Lavender Bay, a landscape purportedly painted in 1988. Read more:The Whiteley Art Scandal – The Whiteley Art Scandal – ABC News
Prof Hufnagel was a Visiting Academic Member at St Paul’s College Graduate House in 2023. She is currently Professor of Law at the University of Sydney, where she serves as Co-Director of the Sydney Institute of Criminology. Her academic journey spans Germany and Australia, with a Law degree from Trier University, and an LLM and PhD from the Australian National University. She is also a Senior Associate Research Fellow at the University of London, a qualified German legal professional, and an accredited specialist in criminal law.
Her research focuses on global law enforcement cooperation, transnational and comparative criminal justice, and art crime. She is particularly interested in cross-border policing and the legal frameworks surrounding the detection and prosecution of art crimes in the UK, Germany, and Australia.
From 2013 to 2023, Prof Hufnagel was based at Queen Mary University of London, where she taught Criminal Law, led the LL.M. in Criminal Justice, and co-directed the Criminal Justice Centre. Her previous roles include research fellowships at Griffith University, the University of Leeds, and teaching positions at the ANU College of Law and the University of Canberra.
The College community was especially pleased to welcome Saskia and Colin back to St Paul’s to present a very popular academic seminar. These weekly seminars are part of the academic offering for students at St Paul’s College and are open to alumni and friends. Read More about Graduate House HERE.
