Minister intervenes in bid to keep famous Rubens painting in Britain

LONDON, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Arts Minister Michael Ellis announced an export ban Sunday in a bid to ensure a rare painting by Peter Paul Rubens, one of Europe's most famous artists, remains in Britain.

The painting, Head of an African Man Wearing a Turban, is one of the few existing examples of artwork from the 17th century that records an African man in Europe.

It is at risk of being exported abroad unless a buyer can be found to match the asking price of 10.8 million U.S. dollars.

Ellis said: "Rubens was one of the great artists of the golden age of painting. This powerful sketch is not only a stunning example of his work, but hugely important as a rare representation of an African man in Europe at this time. I hope that a buyer can be found so that this outstanding item can be kept in the UK for future generations to enjoy."

Rubens, one of the most pre-eminent painters of the Flemish Baroque tradition of the 17th century, was knighted by King Charles I while living in London. The King commissioned Rubens to paint the masterpiece ceiling of London's Banqueting House.

A spokesperson for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said: "The fact that it is on paper, rather than his favoured panel, suggests that this is a unique record of an individual the painter encountered, rather than of a posed model. It is one of approximately 30 oil sketches completed by Rubens in British public collections."

A time limit has been set on the export to give potential buyers the chance to match the price offered by an overseas buyer. Enditem