 Calme: A Landscape At Sunset was painted in 1772-73 |
A pair of 18th Century oil paintings by the marine artist Claude-Joseph Vernet could leave Britain unless a buyer is found for them by the end of the year. Arts Minister Estelle Morris has placed a temporary export ban on the works, Calme and Tempete, to allow a buyer to come up with the �2.4m asking price.
British purchasers will have until 16 December to make their interest in the paintings known.
But the deadline may be extended to April if a serious buyer is found.
The two paintings, from the 18th Century, show different aspects of nature and are considered to be of outstanding aesthetic importance.
History
Calme: A Landscape at Sunset with fishermen returning their catch depicts a port in the fading evening sunshine.
Meanwhile, Tempete: A Shipwreck in Stormy Seas shows a shipwreck in heavy weather.
The pair were commissioned in 1772 by the then Polish king, Stanislas Poniatowski.
But the king failed to pay for the paintings and Vernet sold them to Lord Clive Of India the following year. Descendents of Clive owned the paintings until they were auctioned at Sotheby's earlier this year.
They are said to be typical of the work of Vernet, who was a major influence on British landscape and marine artists, including Turner.
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