R34 million painting can't be exported
The Mail & Guardian says that while the Qatar Museums Authority bought Irma Stern's painting Arab Priest for R34 million on auction six months ago, it hasn't been able to hang the painting because its export has been blocked by the South African Heritage Resource Agency (Sahra).
According to the Mail & Guardian report, Sahra has refused to grant Qatar a permanent export permit because the painting has been identified as a "heritage object that forms part of the national estate". Regina Isaacs, Sahra's heritage objects manager says that in December last year a temporary export permit was issued to Bonhams on condition that the painting was returned to South Africa. Bonhams complied with the conditions.
The Qatar Museums Authority says it will appeal this decision, reports Mail & Guardian, and is not interested in selling the painting. Pieter Fouche of Van Huyssteens, a firm of commercial attorneys in Gauteng has been appointed to represent the museum.
For more:
- Mail & Guardian: Irma Stern export ban challenged
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