In the British Royal Academy canceled a major exhibition
ARTinvestment.RU   17 декабря 2009

Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein Hans-Adam II canceled planned for next year an exhibition of works from his collection at London's Royal Academy

Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein Hans-Adam II (Hans-Adam II) canceled planned for next year an exhibition of works from his collection at London's Royal Academy. It was to be held from September 25 to December 12, 2010 in the main galleries of the museum. The exhibition was planned to include about 100 works, including masterpieces by Rubens (Peter Paul Rubens) and Van Dyck (Antoon van Dyck), and even the so-called. "Badmintonsky Cabinet» (Badminton Cabinet) XVIII century - the most expensive antique furniture in the world ... However, on December 16 Museum of the princes of Liechtenstein in Vienna issued an official statement in which it was said that "unfortunately", an exhibition at the Royal Academy "does not take place».

history, the highest point of which is so far the paper, began in 2006, when Hans-Adam II, through the London art dealer Simon Dickinson (Simon Dickinson) acquired from the collection of Lord Northbrook (lord Northbrook) 9 paintings, including "Portrait of Don Diego, son of Philip II of Spain" brush Alonso Sanchez Coello (Alonso Sanchez Coello).

Sources do not report all the subtleties of the case, limited to only hints at what is obviously an application to the official authorities seeking permission to export was not satisfied with the Tax and Customs Service, HM (Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, HMRC). This structure began an investigation and September 12, 2007 confiscated the picture. In response to this gallery Dickinson issued a statement expressing confidence that the paintings were exported in accordance with all provisions of the rules. However, to expedite an investigation that did not help, and to the disappointment of both parties, confiscated portrait remained in a sealed repositories of the National Gallery in London.

Recently, Hans-Adam II as an innocent party, protested against the delay in addressing the issue, after which painting Coelho still extracted from the repository and 10 November 2009 handed over to representatives of the Prince in London. However, permission to export from the UK in Liechtenstein and Austria has not been issued. British Culture Minister Ben Bradshaw (Ben Bradshow) explained this by saying that while the Tax and Customs Service has completed its investigation, permission is granted can not be.

Peter Paul Rubens Mars and Rhea Silvia Ok. 1616-1617. Source: artdaily.com

But even if all legal matters in the end be resolved, then the authorization is likely to again be postponed, because according to the recommendations of the Committee on the Export of 2007, it is necessary to allow potential buyers from the UK to collect the necessary sum for the purchase and leave the work in the country.

According to the publication of The Art Newspaper, «Portrait of Don Diego "very much wants to buy London's National Gallery and the representatives of the museum are confident that they can collect the necessary amount of about 2 million pounds. Moreover, in early December revealed that the prince is ready to sell now the National Gallery.

However, there has not been without difficulties. Since the work of Coelho was involved in the investigation of the Tax and Customs Service, the Ministry of Finance, responsible for it, informed the Ministry of Culture, Media and Sport, which will consider the sale of paintings as a hindrance to the investigation. A Ministry of Culture, in turn, stated that the National Gallery, as a public entity which is publicly funded, has no right to purchase the item appearing in the investigation of other public organizations, namely the Tax and Customs Service. In such circumstances, the National Gallery, of course, had to abandon plans to purchase works.

Somarez Charles Smith (Charles Saumarez Smith), executive director of the Royal Academy, admitted quite strange that the work of Coelho kept in the National Gallery, but was not allowed to sell it, which resulted in a canceled exhibition at the Royal Academy. He said that "very sorry about the cancellation of the exhibition, and that this event is" jeopardizing the international relations with Liechtenstein ».

« Prince considers it unnecessary to continue the preparation of the planned exhibition until not yet resolved the issue with the picture of Sanchez Coello ", - explained the director of the Museum of the princes of Liechtenstein Kreftner Johann (Johann Kraeftner). But he added that if the problem with cloth Coelho will be resolved, the prince could move the exhibition to a later date.

remains to add that now the Royal Academy are selected alternative projects that could occupy the main exhibition halls in the second half of next year.

Material prepared Ekaterina Guseva, AI

Sources: theartnewspaper.com , uk.reuters.com , artinvestment.ru