The Ministry of Heritage’s reaction to the auction of Reza Abbasi: illegal!

Leila Khosravi, Director General of Museums of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage in response to the sale of monuments in the 22nd Tehran auction, said:

Under the National and Cultural Conservation Act, and its executive bylaws, the sale and exit of any historical and cultural objects and monuments dating back more than 5 years without obtaining a permit from the Department of Cultural Heritage is forbidden and illegal.

He added.

Prior to the auction, the organizers were formally warned that the sale of cultural cultural artifacts was not possible without legal authorization. But unfortunately, these warnings have been ignored and a valuable effect has been sold such as Reza Abbasi’s “Sitted Girl Portrait”.

Khosravi stated:

The Office of Museums, while condemning this illegal action, calls on the relevant authorities to prevent the sale and departure of these monuments by urgent and decisive measures. The organizers of the auction are also expected to revoke the transactions without delay.

The Director General of Museums said at the end:

Protecting national cultural heritage is a universal task, and all responsible agencies must be firmly against any attack on these valuable works. It is hoped that these monuments will be protected and coordinated as part of the ancient Iranian identity and culture for future generations.

It should be noted that some visual activists have also doubted the authenticity of this work and its appointment to Reza Abbasi.