This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/feb/25/alberto-giacometti-sculpture-barred-from-leaving-uk-femme

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Alberto Giacometti sculpture barred from leaving UK Alberto Giacometti sculpture barred from leaving UK
(about 1 hour later)
An important Alberto Giacometti plaster sculpture which is considered a pivotal link between British and European modernism has been prevented from leaving the UK.An important Alberto Giacometti plaster sculpture which is considered a pivotal link between British and European modernism has been prevented from leaving the UK.
The culture minister Ed Vaizey placed a temporary export bar on the almost abstract work, called Femme. Ed Vaizey, the culture minister, placed a temporary export bar on the almost abstract work, called Femme.
It has been sold to a foreign buyer and the aim is to save it for the nation by allowing time for a British buyer to match the asking price of £2,083,500.It has been sold to a foreign buyer and the aim is to save it for the nation by allowing time for a British buyer to match the asking price of £2,083,500.
Giacometti made Femme in 1928-29 and it was purchased by the painter Winifred Nicholson in the mid-1930s just as the European modern art movement was beginning to influence British art. It is the only pure plaster work by the Swiss artist in the UK.Giacometti made Femme in 1928-29 and it was purchased by the painter Winifred Nicholson in the mid-1930s just as the European modern art movement was beginning to influence British art. It is the only pure plaster work by the Swiss artist in the UK.
Vaizey said: “This Giacometti sculpture is not only a stunning example of his work but it also heavily influenced some our greatest artists. It is important that Femme is kept in the country so we can better understand and enjoy this pivotal period in modern British art.”Vaizey said: “This Giacometti sculpture is not only a stunning example of his work but it also heavily influenced some our greatest artists. It is important that Femme is kept in the country so we can better understand and enjoy this pivotal period in modern British art.”
Giacometti is one of the most highly regarded and distinctive artists of the last century. His Walking Man 1 sculpture broke auction records when it sold at Sotheby’s London for £65m and his works wowed visitors to an acclaimed exhibition of his portraits at the National Portrait Gallery last year.Giacometti is one of the most highly regarded and distinctive artists of the last century. His Walking Man 1 sculpture broke auction records when it sold at Sotheby’s London for £65m and his works wowed visitors to an acclaimed exhibition of his portraits at the National Portrait Gallery last year.
In the 1930s he was a key influence for a generation of British artists including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson.In the 1930s he was a key influence for a generation of British artists including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson.
The decision to defer the export licence was made on the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA). The decision to defer the export licence was made on the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.
Committee member Richard Calvocoressi, former director of the Henry Moore Foundation, said: “This is one of Giacometti’s most simplified female figures – flat, almost abstract, its pure white forms pared down to bare essentials. Works such as this had a huge influence on the development of modern sculpture.”Committee member Richard Calvocoressi, former director of the Henry Moore Foundation, said: “This is one of Giacometti’s most simplified female figures – flat, almost abstract, its pure white forms pared down to bare essentials. Works such as this had a huge influence on the development of modern sculpture.”
The decision on an export licence has been deferred until 24 May and could be extended further if a serious intention to raise the required funds is made.The decision on an export licence has been deferred until 24 May and could be extended further if a serious intention to raise the required funds is made.