Louvre blocks Chardin still life sale, claims national treasure status

The Louvre has exercised its right of preemption to halt the sale of Jean Siméon Chardin's "Il cestino di fragole selvatiche" (1761), which was auctioned by Artcurial for over €24 million to an American dealer. The museum, lacking the funds to compete at auction, invoked French cultural heritage law to have the work declared a "national treasure," blocking its export for up to 30 months. Laurence des Cars, director of the Louvre, stated the museum is fully mobilized to acquire the painting, though its annual acquisition budget of €6-7 million (20% of ticket revenue) falls far short. The still life is unique among Chardin's 120+ works, and the Louvre already holds over 40 Chardins. Artcurial, which requested an export certificate only ten days before the sale, expressed willingness to wait for the museum's next move.