The British government is fighting to keep a 1762 topographical watercolor portrait of Niagara Falls from leaving the country.
Painted by British army officer Captain Thomas Davies, the landscape portrait is considered to be the first known eyewitness depiction of Niagara Falls in the country, according to USA Today.
The historic painting was actually sold at Christie's Auction House on April 1, according to Victoria Philpott, spokesperson for the English Arts Council. This creates a problem, since the unnamed buyer has plans to take the painting out of the country.
Ed Vaizey, Britain's culture minister, has announced that there has been an export ban placed on the painting, meaning any foreign buyer of the painting must now agree to keep the painting in Britain for a period of time, the Art Economist reported.
Vaizey hopes that the hold will allow a U.K. buyer to come forth who will allow the painting to stay in its native land.
"I hope that the temporary export bar I have put in place will result in a U.K. buyer coming forward and that the watercolor will be available for all to better understand Britain's global role in the 18th century," said Vaizey.
The painting was originally sold for $237,000 at the auction house.
The decision to grant an export license will be deferred until Nov. 18, but it can be extended until Feb. 2016 if an earnest effort to raise the appropriate funding to purchase the painting is made, according to Gov.UK.
