Hans-Adam II, the Prince of Liechtenstein, canceled today an upcoming special exhibition of his family's art treasures at London's
Royal Academy of Arts. His
Portrait of Don Diego, Son of Philip II of Spain (1577) by Spanish painter Alonso Sánchez Coello (1531-1588) was seized by Great Britain on September 12, 2007 because of an export license dispute. The work's impounding caused the regrettable decision to terminate
The Liechtenstein Collection (September 25 to December 12, 2010).
Johann Kraeftner, Director of the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna, Austria, said, “The prince does not think it appropriate to proceed with the planned exhibition until the matter of a painting by Sánchez Coello is resolved." At such time, Hans-Adam II may reconsider the exhibition's appearance at a later date.
The crisis revolves around a December 2006 HM Revenue & Customs investigation regarding export license applications made by prominent London art dealer Simon Dickinson for nine paintings he sold from the collection of Lord Northbrook to the innocent Prince Hans-Adam II.
The prince offered to ameliorate the situation by selling the painting to London's National Gallery for £2 million. But its purchase was blocked by the British government.