IN UK, PUBLIC MUSEUMS LOSING WORKS TO PRIVATE BUYERS

A medieval bronze jug and two paintings of London by the renowned Venetian painter Canaletto were among £8.3 million ($16.3 million) worth of treasures saved for Britain by the use of a temporary export ban that gives museums the chance to bid for them, reports The Independent_‘s Louise Jury. But efforts to find £7.3 million ($14.4 million) to save eight other items failed, according to a yearly report. David Barrie, director of the Art Fund charity, which helps museums and galleries buy important works, said: “Although the figures look like they’ve improved on last year, when only 12 percent by value were saved from export, most of the improvement is accounted for by one private individual [Sir Peter Moores] who sees the point of putting beautiful paintings on display for public benefit.”