AN aristocrat who owns one of the country's finest Old Master paintings has defended his decision to sell it abroad.

The Duke of Northumberland, who is worth an estimated £250m, has decided to sell Raphael's Madonna of the Pinks to the J Paul Getty Trust in Los Angeles.

A spokesman for the duke said no details of the price were being given but a New York art magazine reported it was £35m.

The National Gallery, which for the last decade has shown the painting of the Virgin delighting in playing with her infant son, said it would try to save it for the nation.

An export licence has yet to be granted, giving a British collector or institution the chance to match the price.

The duke said the sale was necessary to maintain his estate, including Alnwick Castle.

He said: ''Though we shall be very sad to lose this picture, we are glad that it will continue to be available for the public to see."

The painting, which measures 29cm by 23cm, was probably painted in Florence in about 1507.