Art News, Artists, Music and more!

National Portrait Gallery And Getty Museum Announce Joint Acquisition of Joshua Reynolds Painting

The National Portrait Gallery, London, and Getty Museum have announced that they will be jointly acquiring the Joshua Reynolds work, Portrait of Omai.

The iconic painting by Joshua Reynolds has been subject to much controversy in recent months. Ever since its sale in the early 2000s, the UK government has been trying to keep the painting within the country. Last year, the government put a ban on the painting’s export and allowed anyone within the country to acquire the work at its market price: £50 million ($61.9 million).

The National Portrait Gallery in London announced its attention to getting the painting and has been trying to raise funds ever since. However, its inability to do so forced the government to extend the ban two more times, most recently being earlier this month. It was also reported that the National Portrait Gallery had raised half of its funds and was in negotiation with the Getty Museum in the US to raise the other half.

Also Read: Native Americans Halt Auction Of Six Century Old Artifact In North Carolina

Now, the two institutions announced that their deal was successful. It will be joint custody, with each of them possessing the work for 5 years in turn. While the deal is not yet formally done, it will most likely be done. The NPG was already reported to have raised half of the required sum, and the Getty Museum is known for acquiring multi-million-dollar works. Once finalized, National Portrait Gallery will first exhibit the Joshua Reynolds painting in June, when it reopens.