A Renaissance Masterpiece at Risk: UK Government Places Export Bar on Botticelli’s The Virgin and Child Enthroned

In a significant move to preserve national heritage, the UK government has placed a temporary export bar on Sandro Botticelli’s The Virgin and Child Enthroned, a 15th-century painting valued at £10.2 million. This measure aims to provide UK institutions with the opportunity to acquire the artwork and keep it within the country.

The Painting's Journey

Created in the 1470s, The Virgin and Child Enthroned is an early work by Botticelli, showcasing his developing style and mastery of tempera on panel. The painting was housed in the Convent of San Giuliano in Florence during the early 19th century before being moved to a chapel in a nearby village. In 1904, Lady Wantage purchased the piece, and it remained in her family's collection at Betterton House, Berkshire, for over a century.

Auction and Export Bar

In December 2024, the painting was sold at Sotheby's London for £9.7 million, including fees. Following the sale, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) imposed an export bar, effective until August 8, 2025. This allows UK galleries or institutions time to raise the recommended price of £9,960,000 (plus VAT of £272,000, reclaimable by eligible institutions) to acquire the painting.

Artistic Significance

Art historians highlight the painting's importance in understanding Botticelli's early career and the broader context of Florentine Renaissance art. Christopher Baker, a member of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art, emphasised that further research on this piece could provide valuable insights into Botticelli's workshop practices and artistic development.

Sandro Botticelli’s The Virgin and Child Enthroned, a 15th-century painting valued at £10.2 million

A Race Against Time

The export bar serves as a crucial window for UK institutions to secure the painting. If no buyer emerges by the August deadline, the artwork may be exported, potentially resulting in the loss of a significant cultural asset. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges in preserving national heritage amid the global art market's dynamics.

What many members of the public may not realise is that in cases like this, museums and galleries must raise the full valuation amount to retain a work of art in the UK. In the case of The Virgin and Child Enthroned, that means nearly £10 million, not including operational costs, insurance, or exhibition support. These funds must be sourced through public fundraising, private donations, and large-scale grant applications.

As someone who has spent the last year applying for funding to support independent and community-based creative projects, I’ve come to see just how competitive and complex the funding landscape can be.

While these acquisitions are culturally important and ensure the nation retains significant works of heritage, they also highlight the financial disparity between grassroots creative initiatives and major institutions. Understanding this broader funding ecosystem is essential, not just for artists, but for anyone invested in the future of arts and culture in the UK.