British government bars export of Turner painting

[November 04, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- The British government has stepped in to stop a J.M.W. Turner painting purchased by a U.S. museum earlier this year for almost 30 million pounds ($45 million) from leaving the country.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said he was halting the export of "Modern Rome -- Campo Vaccino" until February to give campaigners time to raise money to keep it in Britain.

The government has the power to delay export of works judged to be national treasures.

Government art advisers say the Turner is "so closely connected with our history and national life that its departure would be a misfortune."

The 1839 panorama was purchased at a Sotheby's auction in July by the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

The sale price was 29.7 million pounds, a record for the artist.

[Associated Press]

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