Treasure Houses of Great Britain

'The great works of art which this nation possesses are not (as in other nations) collected together in the capital, but dispersed about the country, and consequently not seen by foreigners, so as to impress them with an adequate idea of the riches in virtu which the nation contains' ... Thus Sir Joshua Reynolds to the Duke of Sutherland, quoted by Francis Haskell in one of the seven essays which introduce the catalogue of The Treasure Houses of Britain. Reynolds' remark, and Haskell's concise and acute introduction to the British as collectors both serve to focus attention on the true function of the exhibition. Contrary to the loud trumpettings of the press this is not the 'Country House Show', parading in mock moulding and mock mould the heyday and decline of this most British institution. It is at once more and less comprehensive than that.