News story

Poussin Painting at risk of export

Ed Vaizey issues temporary export bar to help find a UK buyer.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Poussin Painting

皇冠体育app painting by Nicolas Poussin depicting the moment the infant Moses trampled Pharaoh鈥檚 crown, will be exported overseas unless a matching offer of 拢14,000,000 is made. 皇冠体育app Culture Minister issued the temporary export bar in the hope that a UK buyer can be found in the time allowed.

Ed Vaizey took the decision following a recommendation by the (RCEWA), administered by Arts Council England. 皇冠体育app RCEWA made its recommendation on the grounds that the painting is of outstanding aesthetic importance and significance for the study of Poussin鈥檚 art.

Of the 30 or so paintings by Poussin in UK galleries and museums, none are quite so insistently severe in either their colouring or composition as this piece.

皇冠体育app decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred until 22 April 2014, although this may be extended until 22 October if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase the painting at the recommended price is made.

(MS Word Document, 94.5 KB) with further details.

Updates to this page

Published 23 January 2014