In 1922, Gainsborough's "Blue Boy" was sold to an American collector. 90,000 people came to the 'Farewell Exhibition' at the National Gallery. Many were moved to tears - how could this unique, beloved work by an English artist leave our shores for the USA? After WW2, the Waverley Report was published in 1952, setting out criteria for "National Treasures" and situations where the government could step in to 'save it for the nation' when something was likely to be sold overseas. These three criteria were
History: Is it closely connected with our history and
national life?
Aesthetics: Is it of outstanding aesthetic importance?
Scholarship: Is it of outstanding significance for the study of some
particular branch of art, learning or history?
In the last 70+ years, hundreds of items have been saved [some are listed here] from Jane Austen's ring, Salvador Dali's Lobster telephone, and Maps from the Spanish Armada.
And in 2022 - exactly one hundred years after it left, The Blue Boy did return to the National Gallery for a 5 month exhibition - but has gone back to the USA now [permanently, sadly]
Basically, what it means is that in certain cases the government [guided by the Secretary of State and a committee of eight 'experts'] will refuse an export licence and declare something may not leave the United Kingdom. Often export licences are deferred, giving a chance for somebody in the UK to buy the item. But the number of refused licences is very small in comparison to the number granted. For instance, in 2012-2013, 33,842 items with a value of £1.7 billion were issued with export licences. Only 19 were referred [their value was £114 million - including Estate Maps of Hampton Court, and two paintings by George Stubbs [the latter bought by the Royal Maritime Museum in Greenwich]
Basically, what it means is that in certain cases the government [guided by the Secretary of State and a committee of eight 'experts'] will refuse an export licence and declare something may not leave the United Kingdom. Often export licences are deferred, giving a chance for somebody in the UK to buy the item. But the number of refused licences is very small in comparison to the number granted. For instance, in 2012-2013, 33,842 items with a value of £1.7 billion were issued with export licences. Only 19 were referred [their value was £114 million - including Estate Maps of Hampton Court, and two paintings by George Stubbs [the latter bought by the Royal Maritime Museum in Greenwich]
[the only reason I found out today was through reading about the proposed Queen's Memorial and falling down an architectural rabbit hole on the internet!]
*Both ardent supporters of Norwich City FC
Is it right the Queens Memorial is going to cost 46 million £s? and include a glass bridge!
ReplyDeleteSeems a lot of money to me.
Did you know Delia who lives in Suffolk supported Ipswich before changing to Norwich! Traitor!
I'm assuming that 46 million includes the lifetime salary for whichever lowly peasant has to clean it.
ReplyDeleteI have concerns about the construction and siting of the glass bridge. It will use methods which have a massive carbon footprint, affect the biodiversity of the park, and require the demolition of the perfectly good bridge which is already there. Quite apart from the cost. Her grandfather's memory was honoured by 471 King George playing fields across the nation - still used and valued almost a century later. I suspect her late majesty might have preferred something useful.
ReplyDeleteI never knew DS switched allegiance, I thought she'd always supported NCFC .
We have a King George playing field where I live...
ReplyDeleteThat seems an outrageous waste of money for a bridge.
I used to have to regularly apply for Export Licenses every time someone wanted to go on tour with one of the Acadeny's previous instrument collection....
Presumably they were expected to bring the instruments back after the concerts though? Sorry to read that another valuable antique violin was nicked last week, as its caretaker sat in a pub
DeleteYes it does seem all rather excessive I am sure the late Queen would have disapproved. The King George playing fields were a wonderful lasting tribute we had one near us in Croydon and when we lived there and our sons were small we used it every day. Maybe something along those lines which as you say would be useful to the nation, would be more appropriate for the late Queen's memorial. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteBut I don't recall anybody asking us lower mortals what ideas we had for a memorial...
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