A Texas Museum Secures a Stunning Masterpiece for $26M, but the Louvre Vies to Bring It to France

When the Kimbell Art Museum acquired Jean Siméon Chardin's "The Basket of Wild Strawberries" at an auction last March for nearly 24.4 million euros ($26.4 million), it was anticipated that the painting would become a valuable addition to the museum's limited collection of European masterpieces. However, a month later, the French culture ministry rejected the artwork's export license and classified it as a "national treasure", granting the country's national collections a period of two and a half years to acquire it by matching the highest bid.

With less than four months remaining and 1.3 million euros ($1.4 million) still needed, the Louvre Museum is seeking the public's support to ensure that the oil painting remains in France.

Recently, the renowned museum in Paris initiated a fundraising campaign with the aim of acquiring a masterpiece that is regarded as the epitome of Chardin's artistic work. While a substantial portion of the funds has been raised, including a generous pledge of 15 million euros ($16.3 million) from LVMH, the owner of prestigious luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., the Louvre is now appealing for public donations before the deadline of the export ban in February.

Chardin, often billed as a master of still life, painted the work around 1760.

At present, the campaign has secured 20% of the necessary funds through the generous contributions of over 2,000 donors. Prospective benefactors have the opportunity to receive enticing incentives in exchange for their support, such as exclusive tours to appreciate the artwork and special invitations to a museum cocktail reception.

Chardin is celebrated as one of the greatest still life artists in history. Created around 1760, this painting showcases a pyramid of strawberries in a wicker basket. It is among the noteworthy works by this French painter, known for his depictions of various fruits such as plums and peaches.

A Danish artist who presented blank canvases as artwork has been instructed to reimburse the museum.

The 18-inch-wide artwork was listed for sale by a descendant of Eudoxe Marcille, a 19th-century art collector. Auction house ArtCurial facilitated the 2022 sale. Originally projected to attract bids of up to 15 million euros ($16.2 million), the painting was ultimately acquired by the Kimbell Art Museum, which was established in Fort Worth, Texas in 1972. The museum's collection encompasses more than 300 artworks, including Michelangelo's earliest known painting, "The Torment of Saint Anthony," as well as works by renowned French artists such as Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Paul Gauguin.

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The Texas museum currently possesses another Chardin artwork in its collection, whereas the Louvre boasts over 40 pieces. However, the Louvre hailed "The Basket of Wild Strawberries" as the final painting of its caliber remaining in private ownership. Louvre director Laurence des Cars, in a press release, expressed that its inclusion in the national collections would splendidly enhance the already exceptional ensemble showcased at the Louvre Museum, establishing it as the most significant compilation by this painter across the globe. Describing the painting as "imbued with the poetry of senses," des Cars emphasized its profound artistic and sensory appeal.

Italy has repatriated ancient artifacts that were looted from the US. The director of the Kimbell Art Museum, Eric M. Lee, expressed regret that the museum could not acquire the artwork, but he is pleased that the masterpiece of French painting will be displayed at the Louvre for the public to enjoy.