The British government has imposed a temporary export ban on a Rembrandt portrait valued at more than £71 million ($97 million) in an effort to keep the painting within the United Kingdom. The move aims to allow domestic museums or collectors time to raise funds to acquire the artwork.

The painting, titled “Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet,” was created by Rembrandt in 1657 and depicts a Dutch woman dressed in a white cap and collar with a dark gown. The government described the piece as one of the artist’s most exceptional later works. This is the most expensive object ever to receive such a status under the UK’s export control system.

Under British law, the culture minister can impose a temporary export bar on artworks deemed national treasures. This measure allows potential buyers within the UK a window to match the sale price and keep the item on public display. In this case, the export ban was announced on Thursday and will remain in place at least until December 26.

An export license application had been submitted for the painting, but officials have not disclosed the intended destination country. The government indicated that it will defer any decision on the license until at least December 27 to provide time for an appropriate UK institution or collector to secure the artwork for £71.7 million.

This is not the first time “Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet” has been subject to an export ban. In 2015, following a private sale by its long-term owner in Wales through Sotheby’s auction house, the painting was temporarily barred from leaving the country after being purchased by an unnamed overseas buyer for £35 million.

By employing these measures, the government seeks to preserve works of significant cultural heritage within the UK, maintaining public access to masterpieces by major artists such as Rembrandt.