The Barnes Foundation, however, is saddled with a range of limiting regulations, instituted by the late eccentric chemist, Albert C. Barnes, who stipulated the collection be maintained in place and intact for educational, not museum use.
He endowed the foundation with $10 million, an inadequate sum that has admittedly been mismanaged. Lack of funding and the restrictive stipulations have left the foundation "broke and dysfunctional," according to members of its board.
Meanwhile, the foundation has been besieged by lawsuits, leveled by Lower Merion officials and residents, charging that its attempts to attract the public violate local limits on bus traffic and are also in violation of the foundation's own rules and regulations.
This week, the foundation and its new allies, locally based Pew Charitable Trusts, Lenfest, and Annenberg Foundations, petitioned Montgomery County Orphans' Court Judge Stanley Ott for permission to move the collection from Lower Merion.
Together, they offer to raise not only $150 million for a museum, but also ongoing maintenance funds and payment of the foundation's current legal fees.
Their lawyers argue removal of the collection to Philadelphia is the only solution that will preserve "the central mission of Barnes," which is "art education and appreciation."
Among the thousands of works in the collection are seven Van Goghs, 60 Matisses, 44 Picassos, 18 Rousseaus, and 11 Degases, a mere sampling of the treasures that are now outside the reach of many museum-goers.
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