Getty Museum Exhibits Reynolds’s Portrait of Mai (Omai) After UK Export Ban
The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles is preparing to display Sir Joshua Reynolds’s 1776 masterpiece “Portrait of Mai (Omai)” beginning September 14, following a 15-month export ban imposed by the United Kingdom to prevent the painting from leaving the country, according to the J. Paul Getty Trust. The nearly eight-foot-long canvas arrives in California after a joint acquisition deal completed in 2023, in which the Getty and the National Portrait Gallery in London agreed to share ownership of the work by splitting its £50 million price tag, which equaled $61 million at the time.
Conservation Analysis Reveals Reynolds’s Technique
Conservators at the Getty’s Paintings Conservation Studio examined the painting using flashlights and advanced imaging technology after it arrived at the museum in July, according to findings reported by the Los Angeles Times and confirmed by Hyperallergic. Over a five-week technical analysis, specialists mapped the diverse pigments used by the artist and pinpointed areas where Reynolds altered the canvas composition.
“Initial observations and results brought to light Reynolds’ use of thick and textured paint in certain areas of the painting, showing he reworked those parts of the composition with multiple colors and layers,” a Getty spokesperson told Hyperallergic. The technical team identified these reworked sections around Mai’s head and his intricately tattooed hands.
Did you know?
The United Kingdom placed a 15-month export ban on the 1776 painting to protect it from a permanent foreign sale before the Getty and London’s National Portrait Gallery formed their shared ownership agreement.
Joint Ownership Precedent Set by Getty and National Portrait Gallery
The acquisition represents a rare arrangement between major international museums to share a high-value cultural asset. By splitting the £50 million cost equally in 2023, the Getty and the National Portrait Gallery secured joint custody of the portrait, allowing the work to be studied and exhibited across institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Portrait of Mai (Omai) be on display at the Getty?
The painting goes on display at the Getty Museum starting September 14, following a technical analysis conducted by conservators after the artwork’s arrival in July.
How much did the Getty and the National Portrait Gallery pay for the painting?
The two institutions shared ownership of the work in 2023 by each paying half of the £50 million purchase price, which amounted to $61 million at the time of the deal.
What did conservators discover during the recent technical analysis?
According to a Getty spokesperson, conservators using flashlights and imaging technology discovered that Reynolds used thick, textured paint and reworked sections of the composition around Mai’s head and tattooed hands using multiple colors and layers.
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