How the National Treasury protects the heritage of France

• A drawing by Michelangelo, his first known nude

  A naked young man (after Masaccio) surrounded by two other figures

  , is sold this Wednesday at auction by Christie's in Paris.

• Can this work by the Florentine artist be a French national treasure?

Can a Florentine artist also be a French national treasure?

This is the case of the work

by Michelangelo.

Recently, this drawing left the French heritage.

It will be auctioned in Paris, and estimated at 30 million euros, this Wednesday, by Christie's.

This means that he was granted his export certificate when his owner requested it.

The drawing is now accessible to collectors around the world.

This

In the eyes of the law, to be qualified as a national treasure, cultural property must fulfill one of the following characteristics: “Belong to public collections, in particular those of the museums of France;

be classified as historical monuments and archives" or "present a major aspect for French heritage from the point of view of history, art, archeology or knowledge of the French language and regional languages", according to article 111-1 of the Heritage Code.

Concretely, paintings, sculptures, writings, furniture, coins... may be concerned.

Right of first refusal for national museums

When an owner of a work wishes to take it out of French soil, to sell it for example, he must apply for an export authorization from the Consultative Commission for National Treasures.

The certificate is compulsory for all drawings over 50 years old and worth at least 30,000 euros.

If granted, the work can be auctioned internationally.

As soon as a work is of crucial importance for France, the Ministry of Culture reserves the right to define it as a “national treasure”.

In fact, national treasures cannot leave French territory for thirty months.

The time that the State and the museums can make purchase offers to the owners.

By bringing them into public collections, they thus protect the country's cultural heritage.

Finding funds, the state and museum puzzle

Finding capital is not easy.

When the State does not have the necessary funds to buy the work, it is put back on the market.

Conversely, if he makes a purchase offer deemed fair by art market experts but the owner still refuses to sell to him, the State can renew the export certificate refusal indefinitely.

The time to launch appeals for donations and contact potential patrons.

In return for their involvement, their donations are deducted from taxes up to 90%.

Because the cultural heritage of a country like France, 4th world cultural power in 2020 according to the American information magazine US News and World Report, is a means of influence and incomparable pride.

And as Machiavelli rightly wrote in

(1550): “Men forget the death of their father more easily than the loss of their heritage.

By recalling the eternal significance of heritage, this other Florentine artist perfectly represents the objective of national treasures.

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