The British government has temporarily banned the export of a Rembrandt portrait valued at over 71 million pounds ($97 million), in a bid to keep the "national treasure" in the country.

The U.K. culture minister can place a temporary export ban on any work of art designated a national treasure, giving a local museum or collector time to raise money to buy it.

This painting is the most expensive object ever given this status.

The government announced Thursday it has blocked the painting from being permanently taken out of the country, at least until Dec. 26, "with the aim of keeping an important work in the U.K. and on public display."

It hopes a British museum or other "appropriate" buyer will express interest in acquiring the painting for 71.7 million pounds within that period.

The government statement said an export licence application for the painting had been lodged, but did not divulge to which country it would be sent. It said a decision on the export licence was being deferred to at least Dec. 27.

Painted by Rembrandt in 1657, the oil painting called "Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet," depicting a Dutch woman in a white cap and collar and dark gown, is one of the artist's "most exceptional later works," the government said.

In 2015, the painting was first subject to a temporary export ban when its long-term owner in Wales sold it privately at Sotheby's to an unnamed overseas buyer for 35 million pounds.

Fundraising attempts fell through, but the buyer then kept the painting in the U.K.

Last year the painting was again sold privately at Christie's for 71 million pounds, the auction house confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) Friday.

In 2022, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum acquired a Rembrandt self-portrait for 175 million euros ($202.70 million) after Paris cleared the sale despite it being considered a "national treasure" in France.