Minister intervenes to keep iconic bust of Edward the Black Prince in the UK

The UK Government has placed a temporary export ban on an 18th-century marble bust of Edward the Black Prince, a medieval military leader and son of King Edward III, to prevent its permanent relocation abroad. The sculpture, created by Flemish artist Michael Rysbrack around 1735, has long defined public depictions of the historical figure and remains a key reference in British medieval history. The government’s intervention follows advice from the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, which cited the bust’s significance to national heritage and 18th-century British art. The export deferral aims to give UK galleries and institutions an opportunity to secure the sculpture for public display.

The bust is valued at £496,044.51 plus VAT and has been identified as a defining representation of Edward the Black Prince, whose military achievements include the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. Created during the Georgian era, the sculpture reflects the period’s political and dynastic self-fashioning, aligning patrons with England’s royal lineage and chivalric traditions. The Minister’s decision grants an initial deferral period until 5 February 2027, during which expressions of interest for its acquisition are invited. The government hopes the sculpture will remain in the UK to strengthen public engagement with medieval history.

Michael Rysbrack, the bust’s creator, was a prominent 18th-century sculptor known for his portrait busts and architectural works in England, where he developed a classicising style that influenced Georgian art. The sculpture’s export would represent a significant loss to scholarship on 18th-century British sculpture and its role in royal propaganda and national identity. The Reviewing Committee recommended the deferral under the first and third Waverley criteria, citing the bust’s outstanding historical connection and its importance to the study of Georgian-era art and political imagery.

The deferral process includes a 15-business-day consideration period for any purchase offers at the recommended price, followed by a four-month second deferral period if an Option Agreement is signed. The government’s action underscores its commitment to preserving culturally significant objects within the UK, ensuring their continued accessibility for research and public appreciation. The bust’s iconic status has endured for nearly three centuries, shaping how Edward the Black Prince is remembered in British historical narratives.