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A comment on London's National Gallery purchases a painting by an unknown artist for $20M. Parent comment

Re:London's National Gallery purchases a painting by an unkn... by rvba on Saturday May 03, 2025 @03:48AM (#43877502)
The 20 million could have been used to help many more people than a single family though.

But if I understand correctly it's not taxpayer money

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Re:London's National Gallery purchases a painting by an unkn... by hilbert42 on Saturday May 03, 2025 @04:06AM (#43877559)
"But if I understand correctly it's not taxpayer money"

How does that work (I'm not in the the UK)? Donations perhaps?

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Re:London's National Gallery purchases a painting by an unkn... by turbotim on Saturday May 03, 2025 @05:44AM (#43877922)
From the article: “ The Virgin and Child with Saints Louis and Margaret and Two Angels was bought for just over $20m (around £16m at the time), funded by the American Friends of the National Gallery London.”
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Re:London's National Gallery purchases a painting by an unkn... by OJFord on Saturday May 03, 2025 @09:54AM (#43879048)
Regardless of where it came from this time, it's a charity, not some sort state gallery department funded by the treasury.
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Re:London's National Gallery purchases a painting by an unkn... by bruce511 on Saturday May 03, 2025 @09:32AM (#43878932)
It will be dispersed to more thsn a single family. That's the point.

In this case specifically it's unlikely the family sold an asset simply to buy another asset. They've had it a few hundred years, and the gallery has had their eye on it for decades. It's likely they sold it cause they needed the cash, for a new roof or whatever.

If they spend it, then those people providing the goods and services will prosper. If they invest it in a business, then that business has capital to grow, and all those employees will benefit.

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