UK Bans Export of $97.2M Rembrandt Portrait

The UK government has announced a temporary export ban on a Rembrandt painting valued at £71.7 million ($97.2 million). The ban targets Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet, painted in 1657, to prevent it from leaving the country permanently.

According to a government release, the painting has been in the UK since the mid-18th century. It was most recently displayed at the National Museum of Cardiff from 2016 to 2019.

A Masterpiece Under Review

The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest recommended the ban. Committee chair Andrew Hochhauser called the work a painting of "outstanding aesthetic importance." He stated it ranks among Rembrandt's finest achievements from his late career.

Hochhauser praised its "delicacy, refinement, and exceptional finish." He said Rembrandt transformed the sitter's "relatively ordinary features into a striking image of beauty."

The committee found the painting met three key criteria for an export ban. It has a strong connection to UK history and national life. It possesses exceptional aesthetic quality. It is also important for the study of Rembrandt and his work.

The Ban's Timeline and Price

The export deferral lasts until December 26, inclusive. After that, the current owners will have 15 business days to accept any UK offers. The recommended price is £71,696,324.90 plus VAT of £754,698.15.

If an option agreement is signed, a second nine-month deferral period can be triggered. This gives potential UK buyers more time to secure the hefty sum. The government release states this price tag makes it the most expensive object ever given national treasure status.

Arts minister Ruth Mackenzie said the painting has been part of the UK's cultural life for centuries. She urged cultural partners and philanthropists to help keep the masterpiece in the country.

The Painting's History and Speculation

The portrait depicts Catrina Hooghsaet, a wealthy 17th-century Mennonite from Amsterdam. The large-scale work, measuring roughly 49 by 37 inches, shows her seated in traditional dress. She holds white lace, with an intricate oriental rug draped behind her.

Its provenance traces back to the sitter, who died in 1685. It later passed to her third husband. The painting entered the UK by 1752, likely acquired by John Fane, 7th Earl of Westmorland. It remained with his family until an 1831 sale.

The portrait was sold at Christie's in 1846 and 1860. It later belonged to Colonel the Hon. Edward Douglas-Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn. A private sale by Sotheby's occurred in 2015. The 2025 sale that prompted the ban was privately brokered by Christie's.

Artnet News reported market speculation about the seller. The outlet linked the sale possibly to Rosaline Wong, a Hong Kong-based art adviser. Wong has been connected to major Chinese collectors like Joseph Lau and Henry Cheng Kar-shun. Christie's declined to comment on the identities of buyers or sellers.

The same outlet reported a higher valuation from Old Master dealer Otto Naumann. He estimated the painting could be worth about $150 million. That is more than double the UK government's stated value.

A Pattern of Protection

The UK government regularly issues such bans on major artworks. A recent high-profile case involved Joshua Reynolds's Portrait of Omai (Mai) from around 1776. It received an export ban in 2022.

The following year, the National Gallery in London and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles jointly acquired it for £50 million ($61.9 million). The painting is scheduled to go on view at the Getty next month.