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Wednesday, 09 March 2011 05:01

Getty Museum to keep $45million Turner masterpiece after Britain fails to raise enough money to buy it back

Under the hammer: A Sotheby's employee hangs the painting before the sale Under the hammer: A Sotheby's employee hangs the painting before the sale © AFP/Getty Images

A $45million (£30million) Turner masterpiece is set to make its debut in Los Angeles.

'Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino' was acquired by the J Paul Getty Museum in July. The price tag set a new auction record for the British master.

After Getty bought the almost flawless painting in its original frame, the British government postponed export until February to see if enough money could be raised to keep a national treasure from leaving the country.

But the attempt failed and the painting is set to be unveiled in California on Tuesday.

It has only had two owners in 171 years. Most recently it was on display at the National Gallery of Scotland.

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