Omai out of the closet

Before the Macclesfield Psalter and the Madonna of the Pinks, there was Reynolds' portrait of Omai -- a case demonstrating how laws to keep artworks in the UK do not compel access to them:

Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Omai will get a public airing following fears it would stay hidden because of an export wrangle.

The Tate Gallery unsuccessfully tried to buy the picture from its anonymous owner after a ban was issued preventing the painting from leaving the UK.

The 18th Century painting has remained in storage but the owner has agreed to allow it to be part of an exhibition. The exhibition of Reynolds' work will be shown at Tate Britain from May.

Posted by David on February 9, 2005 9:20 AM