Roo Update

Back in February I posted news that culture tsar Ed Vaizey had slapped a temporary export ban on two oil paintings by George Stubbs, one showing a kangaroo (The Kongouro From New Holland), the other a dingo (CLICK). Yesterday the National Maritime Museum in London announced it had secured £3.2m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and £200,000 from the Art Fund, toward the cost of the paintings (CLICK). They were commissioned by Sir Joseph Banks following his participation in Captain James Cook’s first Pacific voyage of discovery (1768–71) aboard HMS Endeavour. So they are of considerable historic importance. To find out more and/or to donate, CLICK.