Painting export block a 'nonsense' IN January, a British parliamentarian stepped in to interfere with the workings of a market. Ed Vaizey, culture minister and son of an art historian, put a temporary block on the sale to a foreign buyer of two paintings by that great horse-picturer George Stubbs. This allowed time for an appeal to raise part of the very large amount needed for a British buyer to purchase these artworks. Yesterday's The Australian noted that the appeal was successful, and the National Gallery of Australia's 40-year battle to acquire the pair of works was over.