LONDON, Aug. 27 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* AUK gallery or institutionhas been granted the opportunitytosavethismasterpiecefor the nation

The UK government has blocked a painting by Rembrandt, one of the most famous artists of all time, from being taken out of thecountrypermanentlyin the hope that a UK gallery or institution can save it for the nation.

Rembrandt'sPortrait of Catrina Hooghsaet,painted in 1657,is one of the artist'smost exceptional later works, and has beendisplayed in theUK since the mid eighteenth century.It is valued at £71million, themost expensiveobjecteverto be given national treasure status.

The decision to place a temporary export ban on the portrait gives museums and galleries time to raise the funds needed toacquireit,with the aim of keepingan important workinthe UKand on public display.

The portrait is of exceptional importance to our shared history and nationallife; itaddsvalueto ourunderstandingofRembrandt and his works, social relations, gender, religion and identity in the Dutch Republic, Rembrandt's place in British collections, and the wider history of the art of portrait painting.

The portrait depicts Catrina Hooghsaet, an affluent member of Amsterdam's Mennonite community whose unconventional domestic life saw her live separately from herhusband.Rembrandt's thoughtful depiction captures both her character and individuality,demonstratinghis celebrated ability to convey the inner life of his sitters.

ArtsMinister,Ruth Mackenziesaid:

The Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet has been part of the UK's cultural life for centuries. The scale, beauty and history of this masterpiece make it a priority for cultural partners, funders, philanthropists, and lovers of Rembrandt to help this masterpiece keep its historical place in the UK.

Andrew Hochhauser KC, CommitteeChairmansaid:

Painted in the final phase of his career, Rembrandt's portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet ranks amongst his finest achievements. It belongs to a rare group of large-scale three-quarter-length portraits and stands out for its delicacy, refinement, and exceptional finish.

Rembrandt transforms herrelatively ordinaryfeatures into a striking image of beauty through his sensitivity,honestyand profound psychological insight.

Catrina Hooghsaet's unusually well-documented life allows the portrait to be studied alongside rich historical evidence,providingrare insights into social relations, gender, religion, and identity in the Dutch Republic.

This is a painting of outstanding aesthetic importance, of outstanding significance to our cultural history. It is also of outstanding significance to the study of the history of portraiture, the oeuvre ofRembrandtand the history of collectinghis work in Britain. This enormously important painting should be saved for the nation and kept on public display in this country.

The Committee recommended that the painting should be subject to an export bar because it met all three Waverley criteria. These criteria are used to assess whether an object is of national importance and its departure from the UK would be a misfortune. In this case, the painting was recognised for its strong connection with our history and national life, its exceptional aesthetic quality, and its importance to the study of Rembrandt and his work.

The decision on the exportlicenceapplication for the painting will be deferred foran initialperiod ending on 26 December 2026inclusive in which we welcome expressions of interest froman appropriate purchaserto try andacquirethe object. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) topurchasethe painting at the recommended price of £71,696,324.90 (plus VAT of £754,698.15). The second deferral period willcommencefollowing the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for nine months.

When someone applies to permanently exportaimportant cultural object from the UK, the Government can pause the export if the object is considered a national treasure. This gives a UK museum orappropriate purchasertime to raise the money to keep it in the country.

Notes to editors

Organisationsor individuals interested inpurchasingthe painting should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 orrcewa@artscouncil.org.uk.

Details of the item are as follows: Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669); Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet (1607-1685); Oil on canvas, 126 x 98.5 cm; Inscribed and signed on the shield upper left: 'CATRINA HOOGH / SÆT. / OVT. 50. / Jaer' and 'Rembrandt. f. / 1657.'

Provenance:

* Catrina Hooghsaet (1607-1685), Amsterdam * Her third husband, Jan Schildt (died 1686), Amsterdam * Probably John Fane, Lord Le Despencer, 7th Earl of Westmorland (1685-1762), Mereworth House, Kent, by 1752 * Sir Francis Dashwood, 2ndBt, Lord Le Despencer (1708-1781), of West Wycombe, and Mereworth House, Kent, by 1780 * By descent to his sister, Rachel Dashwood (c.1706-1788), wife of Sir Robert Austen, 4thBt * By descent to her cousin, Sir Thomas Stapleton, 6thBt, Lord Le Despencer (1766-1831), of Rotherfield Greys, and Mereworth Castle, Kent * His posthumous sale, 1831 * Bought after this sale by Peacock [probably theLondon dealer Michael Peacock (c.1785-1843)], for £178 10s. *Collection Edmund Higginson (ne Barneby) (1802-1871),SaltmarsheCastle, Herefordshire, by 1836 * His sale, London (Christie's), 4-6 June 1846, lot 221 (£798, bought in) * His sale, London (Christie's), 4-6 June 1860, lot 43 (740gns., to Farrer [the London * dealer Henry Farrer, 1798-1866]) * Collection Colonel the Hon. Edward Douglas-Pennant, 1st BaronPenrhynofLlandegai(1800-1886), and by descent * Private sale, 2015, whenacquiredby a private collector, * Private sale, (Christie's) 2025, whenacquired.

The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.