Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay has extended the export bar on Portrait of Omai (c1776) by Sir Joshua Reynolds until 10th June 2023, in an effort to ensure the work will be available for public view in the UK.
It is wonderful that there is so much support for securing the Portrait of Omai. Having had the chance to set eyes on this remarkable painting, I’m all the more determined to ensure that we can save it for public display so that the widest possible audience can see, enjoy, and learn from it. I am pleased to extend the export deferral period so that we give every chance to make this happen. I want to thank the National Portrait Gallery, Art Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund for their tireless work on this important campaign – as well as everyone who has donated to support it so far.
Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
The National Portrait Gallery is attempting to raise the £50 million necessary to acquire the painting and include the work in the UK’s national collection.
Portrait of Omai by Sir Joshua Reynolds (c1776), depicts Mai, the first Polynesian to visit Britain. Widely regarded as the finest portrait by one of Britain’s greatest artists, the painting holds a pivotal place in global art history. The work has always been in private ownership and has not been on public display in the UK since 2005.
This acquisition is one of the most significant our nation could ever make, and will be remembered, and enjoyed, for generations. If we are successful in acquiring the work, Omai will be unveiled to the public at the National Portrait Gallery’s reopening in June 2023, before being shared widely with audiences. I am extremely grateful to all of our funders and the thousands of individuals who have pledged support and would like to extend our thanks to the owner of this magnificent painting for their full cooperation throughout the licence application process.
Dr Nicholas Cullinan, National Portrait Gallery’s Director,
The National Portrait Gallery and Art Fund, the national charity for art, are working together to raise the funds needed to acquire the painting, so that it can be in public ownership and on public view in the UK, in perpetuity.
We have a unique opportunity to secure this work for the public and welcome the government generously allowing this extra time to collaborate on the optimum means to help make this happen. We’re incredibly grateful to the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and the many trusts, individuals and Art Fund members who have donated. We call on those who can help, to come together with us now, so that everyone will have a chance to see this work in future.
Jenny Waldman, director, Art Fund,
The National Heritage Memorial Fund has pledged £10m, one of its most significant pledges of support, to help save the work, and Art Fund has given an exceptional grant of £2.5m – the largest in its history. Many generous trusts, foundations and individuals, alongside over 1,600 Art Fund members and supporters have generously donated, and as a result almost half the £50m needed to acquire the work has now been raised.
This is one of the greatest masterpieces of all time. It is a part of British history where it encountered the rest of the world. People will respond to it with head and heart, and it absolutely must be available to everyone in this country, and many millions more who visit.
Simon Schama
This hugely significant work depicts the young Polynesian man Mai, or Omai, as he was also called in Britain, who arrived in England with Captain Cook in 1774. Touring London and beyond, Mai caused a sensation in Georgian high society before departing for Polynesia in 1776.
Widely regarded as the finest portrait by one of Britain’s greatest artists, this painting holds a pivotal place in global art history. The work has always been in private ownership and has not been on public display in the UK for over a decade. There is now a unique opportunity to secure this masterpiece for the National Portrait Gallery, so that it can be shared with the public forever.
Any donation, of any size, will make a difference and help to galvanise further support. Donations can be made at Artfund.org/Omai
For contributions of £10,000 or more, please contact development@artfund.org
