The UK government has slapped a temporary export ban on Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet, a 17th-century Rembrandt painting worth a staggering £71.7 million, to keep it in the nation’s cultural orbit.
Painted in 1657, the portrait depicts a wealthy Amsterdamite in traditional attire, seated and gazing pensively. A panel of experts deemed it of such historic and artistic importance that it must remain in the UK.
“This is a painting of outstanding aesthetic importance, of outstanding significance to our cultural history,” said the committee chair, Andrew Hochhauser. “It should be saved for the nation and kept on public display in this country.”
The export ban comes with a hefty price tag, a recommended price of £71,696,324.90 plus VAT, for any UK museum or institution looking to save the masterpiece. The ban is set to last until December 26, after which the current owners have 15 business days to accept any offers.
Art market watchers speculate that the painting might be worth even more, with some estimates suggesting it could be worth over $150 million. The painting’s journey from a 17th-century sitters’ collection to its current private ownership is shrouded in mystery, making its future even more intriguing.







