LONDON, UK.- Arts Minister, Estelle Morris, has placed a temporary export bar on a marble 'capriccio' by Benedetto Pistrucci. The sculpture appears to consist of separate fragments joined together, but is in fact carved from a single block of marble. It is an intricate piece, with two main faces, and smaller carvings at the sides.

The sculpture, which was recently rediscovered, is a personal statement with specific references to Pistrucci's life which, by the end of the 1820s had embraced great achievements, but also severe disappointments. It epitomises Pistrucci's professional and personal frustrations, and at the same time marks a high point of his creative powers. This will provide a last chance to raise the money to keep the sculpture in the United Kingdom.

The Minister's ruling follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art that the export decision be deferred. This reflects the sculpture's outstanding significance for the study of art in Britain in the first half of the nineteenth century.

The deferral will enable purchase offers to be made at the following agreed fair market price:

A carved marble sculpture by Benedetto Pistrucci, deferred at the recommended price of £150,000 (excluding VAT) until after 22 May 2005 with the possibility of an extension until after 22 July 2005 if there is a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase.

Anyone interested in making an offer to purchase the marble group should contact the owner's agent through:

The Secretary
The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH