In an attempt to keep a rare early Renaissance masterpiece by the Italian painter and friar Fra Angelico from leaving the country, Britain's Department of Culture Media and Sport has put a temporary export bar to the $6.4 million piece.
This is done in hopes of giving UK-based collecting institutions to swoop in and acquire it, according to a press release by the country's government.
Gallery assistants pose next to "The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John the Baptist and the Magdalen at the Foot of the Cross" painting by Italian artist Fra Angelico at Christie's auction house during the press preview in London on June 30, 2023.
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The tempera painting on wood panel with its original frame intact is believed to have been made by Angelico in the 1420s. Dubbed "The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John the Evangelist, and the Magdalen," it depicts a religious scene painted in the friar's signature bright pigments.
It was originally a part of Christie's "Old Masters" sale last July 2023 and was sold at £5 million, or around $6.4 million, against its original valuation of £4 million to £6 million.
In the release, Arts and Heritage Minister Stephen Parkinson said: "This beautiful piece by such an important figure of the early Renaissance represents a key moment in the history of European painting."
He added that despite its two-century-long history of being in the country, it is now in danger of being sent outside of Britain. This looming loss of the piece has prompted the decision to ban the export for an undefined span, following the advice set by an independent committee.
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Committee member Christopher Baker said regarding the piece: "It is an extraordinary rarity that assists with our understanding of a formative period in the artist's career and in the development of Italian Renaissance painting more widely."
"It would constitute a major addition to a UK public collection and every effort should be made if possible to acquire it," he continued.
This strategy is often employed by countries to "buy time" and keep "tabs" on artifacts or artwork that are deemed of high national importance through the utilization of an export licensing system that prevents such objects from being exported without being reviewed first.
In terms of how long of a time the ban will stay in effect, the release said that Angelico's masterpiece will be barred from leaving the country until April 7.
That said, upon the date's arrival, the current owners of the piece must wait another 15 business days to give time to consider possible and sound offers.
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