Image: 'Sir William Young Conducting a Treaty with the Black Caribs on the Island of St Vincent, 1773' Agostino Brunias (1730–1796)
UK galleries have until July 2025 to acquire two rare Brunias paintings which have been barred temporarily from export
Two paintings of the island of St Vincent by 18th century artist Agostino Brunias are being given time to find a UK buyer.
Both paintings depict the island through the lens of the British Empire, with one showing the signing of a treaty and the other a representation of Indigenous life.
The decision was taken after advice from the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.
‘Sir William Young Conducting a Treaty with the Black Caribs on the Island of St Vincent’ is set at the recommended price of £240,000, and ‘A family of Charaibes in the Island of St Vincent’ is set at the recommended price of £180,000.
The Committee found that ‘Sir William Young Conducting a Treaty with the Black Caribs on the Island of St Vincent’ met the first and third Waverley criteria; ‘ Is it closely connected with our history and national life?’, and ‘is it of outstanding significance for the study of some particular branch of art, learning or history?.
The Committee found that ‘A family of Charaibes in the Island of St Vincent’ met the third Waverley criterion for its significance to the study of the history of slavery and colonialism.
The decision on the export licence applications for both paintings will be deferred for a period ending on 15 July 2025 inclusive.
