Seeking to enrich the lives of their citizens, British cities and towns once embraced art for art's sake, scooping up masterworks for display in squares, train stations, schools and museums.
Though the parade of sales is echoing a trend across Europe that has seen cash-strapped Greece move to sell off islands and Italy peddle a 17th century palazzo, the outcry is from those who worry that a push for short-term gains is outweighing the blow to cultural life.
Though the parade of sales is echoing a trend across Europe that has seen cash-strapped Greece move to sell off islands and Italy peddle a 17th century palazzo, the outcry is from those who worry that a push for short-term gains is outweighing the blow to cultural life.