The UK government has imposed a temporary export ban on one of William Hogarth's earliest paintings, The Christening, valued at £1.2 million. The move aims to allow a British buyer time to match the price and keep the artwork in the country.
Culture Minister Matt Hancock described Hogarth as 'one of our greatest ever satirists' and said the painting offers valuable insight into 18th-century life. 'Satire is an important part of our cultural heritage, and, as a fan of Hogarth's work, I hope it can remain in the UK for the public to enjoy,' he added.
The painting, created around 1728 when Hogarth was in his early thirties, depicts a chaotic christening scene in a wealthy but disorderly home. It is considered a precursor to his later moral paintings, showcasing his satirical take on society.
The export licence deferral, recommended by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA), will last until February. Art dealer Lowell Libson, an RCEWA member, said retaining the painting would 'considerably add to the story we can tell of a painter who helped define our national identity'.
