A Northern English local council is wrestling the the cost of owning an early Francis Bacon work. The market value of the painting is too tempting for some local politicians who want to sell the picture to fund the area’s museums, according to the Guardian:

David Sheard, leader of the council, said the painting, Figure Study II, had languished in storage for years as it was too valuable to be exhibited locally. […] Sheard said he would prefer to loan the painting to other museums and art galleries within the UK.

“That would be my preferred outcome because then we get the best of both worlds – we get to keep the painting and raise revenue. However, I need to know all the facts before any decision is made and will have to discuss options with the whole council,” he added.

The notion of selling the Bacon painting caused outrage among art lovers when it was first mooted by the Conservative group, in charge of the West Yorkshire council four years ago.

The painting most likely cannot be sold due to the fact it was a conditional gift from the Contemporary Art Society.

Kirklees council considers selling Francis Bacon painting  (The Guardian)