Britain’s Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has placed a temporary export bar on 16th century Italian Mannerist painter Pontormo’s “Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap” to provide an opportunity to save the masterpiece for the nation.Believed lost for more than 200 years until it was rediscovered in a private collection in 2008, the painting is at risk of being exported from the UK unless a buyer can be found to match the asking price of £30,618,987.The incredibly important painting depicts the young aristocrat Carlo Neroni in 1530, during the time of the siege of Florence by Imperial troops. It is one of only 15 portraits by Pontormo, whose real name was Jacopo Carrucci, to survive.Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said in a press release on the UK Government website: “This masterpiece was once lost to the world for more than 200 years and I want to help make sure the UK doesn’t let it go now.“Pontormo was one the greatest artists of his time and this portrait is one of a few left in existence. I hope that a buyer comes forward to save this striking painting for the UK public to enjoy.”The UK Government website states that a decision on the export licence application will be deferred until April 22, 2016 an may be extended until 22 October 2016 if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase the painting is made at the recommended price of £30,618,987.
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