Murillo Export Ban

Culture czar Ed Vaizey has imposed an export ban on this early painting Virgin and Child by Spanish master Bartolome Esteban Murillo, due to its "outstanding aesthetic importance". It gives Brits a chance to come up with the £3m needed to save this work for the nation. If no major attempt to raise the readies is made by 18 September, the export ban will be lifted and the painting will be allowed to go abroad. This deadline could be extended until 18 January, if funds are in the offing.