The UK government has temporarily blocked the export of Rembrandt’s 1657 Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet, valued at £71 million, to allow UK institutions time to acquire it. The decision follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, which cited the painting’s national importance under the Waverley criteria. The export ban grants museums and galleries until 26 December 2026 to raise funds for the artwork, which has been in UK collections since the 18th century. Arts Minister Ruth Mackenzie emphasized its significance to cultural history, while experts highlighted its role in understanding Rembrandt’s work and 17th-century Dutch society. The painting’s provenance traces back to Amsterdam and includes ownership by notable figures. The government may defer the export decision further if a UK purchaser is identified.
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Original source: https://www.gov.uk/
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