Britain has placed a temporary export ban on Pablo Picasso's painting (above), which had been on loan to a public gallery since 1974 before its aristocratic owners decided to put it up for sale. Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said yesterday he was preventing the work from leaving the country until December 16, and, if a "serious" attempt to meet the asking price was made by a private buyer or institution outside Britain, until June 16 next year. Vaizey based his decision on recommendations by a committee administered by Arts Council England. The committee decided that the painting, which was placed on long-term loan to the National Gallery in London and remained there until 2010, was sufficiently important and closely connected with Britain to justify the export deferral. Painted in 1901, the work marked the beginning of the Spanish artist's "blue period". It has been valued at £50 million (HK$609 million).