But in the mid-1920's, it was enough to buy one great painting after another for the national collections.
Most national collections can be seen by the public more easily than is often realised.
A national collection was held and the town quickly recovered.
His works belong to national and international collections of established galleries.
The museum also hosts visiting shows from national and international collections.
The furnishings were scattered in sales and some have come to national collections.
In 1882 its council agreed to start a 'national collection of works of art'.
No work by the artist is, says the Tate, more suitable for its national collection.
His furniture is found in all the great national collections of decorative arts.
For most young people this is the first opportunity to see a painting from one of the country's national collections.