A painting by British artist Sir Stanley Spencer, "The Resurrection of the Good and the Bad," has been placed under an export bar by the U.K. government in hopes that a domestic gallery or institution will purchase it. The artwork, completed in 1915, is considered an "immensely valuable" piece for understanding Spencer's body of work, particularly his explorations of resurrection themes. Bids for the painting, which has a recommended price of £450,000, are being accepted until mid-December.
Sir Stanley Spencer, born and primarily living in Cookham, Berkshire, is renowned for his distinctive style. "The Resurrection of the Good and the Bad" is noted as his first work to delve into the resurrection theme. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) stated the painting's importance for scholarly study and its cultural significance to the United Kingdom. The export bar aims to prevent the artwork from leaving the country, providing a window for national collections to secure its acquisition.