Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein called off a much anticipated art exhibit at London’s Royal Academy of Arts Thursday, due to a row over a painting taken hold of in Britain.
FILE
The Spanish Renaissance artwork at the center of this dispute, “The Infante Don Diego” by Sanchez Coello, was purchased by the Prince in 2006, but due to the British customs, it has been impounded since 2007. Because this problem has not yet been resolved, Hans Adam pulled out of the exhibition which would have shown pieces of art owned by Liechtenstein’s ruling family.
“After many months of planning… we are, of course, very disappointed that the Prince of Liechtenstein has decided to cancel the exhibition,” said the Royal Academy in a statement.
“This is owing to an unrelated criminal inquiry into the export of a group of pictures bought in London by the Prince over three years ago.”
The exhibition was supposed to run from September to December of 2010. The Royal Academy was looking forward to the event, and had hoped for a major success.
“The Prince does not think it is appropriate to proceed with the planned exhibition until the matter of a painting by Sanchez Coello is resolved,” said Johann Kraeftner, director of the Prince of Liechtenstein collections.
“When that happens we will reconsider the idea of a show at the Royal Academy at some future date,” he added.
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