BRINGING SIXTY YEARS OF ART LAW AND CURATORIAL EXPERTISE TO MODERN, POSTWAR, AND CONTEMPORARY COLLECTING

Established in 2025 by Lucy and Oliver Charles, Galerie Betty Charles presents Modern, Postwar, and Contemporary art from across the UK and Europe. Backed by sixty years of combined art world and legal expertise, the gallery combines exceptional curation with in-house legal services, offering authentication, market valuations, and tax advisory for private collections and foundations. From rediscovering overlooked historical gems (1860–1960) to representing mid-career "Future-Masters," the gallery guides both new and seasoned collectors through physical exhibitions, major European art fairs, and exclusive London viewings.

Lucy E. Charles

BA(Hons) MA, MLitt, RICS

Lucy Charles began her career with Christie’s, progressing to the Guggenheim Museum, Venice, before becoming an independent Curator, Art Dealer, and Art Market Professional (specialising in art market law and economics). Spanning thirty years, her career includes providing art advisory services to build private collections. In 2025, she established Galerie Betty Charles, building on her work within European private foundations.

As a RICS registered Valuer and Mediator, she helps clients with probate valuations for Modern and Contemporary art (c. 1882–present). She advises global galleries and museums on negotiations, acquisitions, deaccessions, and commissioning. Called upon as an expert witness, she regularly advises on high-profile cases of title and authentication.

Lucy’s curatorial career includes exhibitions across Europe, preferring smaller museums with interesting permanent collections, juxtaposing Modern pictures with contemporary pieces. She is passionate about working with mid-career and established artists and bringing overlooked Modern works back to market.

Lucy’s NED roles include the Charity Committee of the Worshipful Company of Art Scholars (a London Livery Company), distributing funds to individuals and institutions aligned with art scholarship principles.

She is also on the Art Market Steering Group of the Association For Art History, raising awareness of art trade careers and facilitating entry for students and career transitioners.

Oliver P. Charles

BSc (Hons) MA, M.Phil, SFHEA, FRSA Solicitor

Oliver holds an MA in art history and an M.Phil concerning the money laundering regulation imposed on the art market. He has also lectured extensively in art history and art fraud with his specialisms being ancient antiquity and pre-impressionist European paintings. He has collected extensively in the fields of German KPM porcelain and ancient antiquity.

As a legal consultant Oliver is a qualified solicitor and has run his own general practice for almost 30 years. He has experience in the areas of private client and tax together with high value assets.Oliver has worked on a number of cases involving high value assets. These cases have ranged from assisting with the acquisition of such assets, through to complex title issues and recovery in the event of fraud.  In 2025 the firm expanded to become a legal and tax consultancy covering UK and European clients. 

Further information about Consultant Juridique International can be found here; https://www.olivercharles-cji.com/

He is a member of the Institute of Art and Law (IAL) and also the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Oliver is published in the areas of deferred prosecution agreements and money laundering.

He spent 27 years as a NED with the YMCA. He is now a Liveryman of both the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London and the Worshipful Company of Art Scholars and acted as the Hon Secretary to the charitable trust. In 2019 he was granted the Freedom of the City of London.