Britain Halts Export of $48 Million Turner Painting "Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino"

J.M.W. Turner, Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino

LONDON (REUTERS).- Britain has temporarily halted the export of a record-breaking painting by English master J.M.W. Turner which was sold at auction in July for 29.7 million pounds ($48 million).

"Modern Rome -- Campo Vaccino" went under the hammer at Sotheby's in London and set an auction record for the artist. The 1839 landscape was Turner's last painting of Rome.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey announced the decision on Wednesday, and gave individuals and organizations until February 2, 2011 to demonstrate serious intent to keep the masterpiece in the country by meeting its market value.

If it appears to be a real possibility that the funds can be raised, the deadline will be extended to August 2 next year, he said in a statement.

His decision follows a recommendation from the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

"If one needed evidence of Turner's greatness as an artist, this is it," said Lord Inglewood, chairman of the Reviewing Committee.

"'Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino' is an astonishingly beautiful painting that underlines Turner's thoughts and experiences of Rome, and in turn it has played a fundamental part in forming our perception of Turner and his work."

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)