"We lent works in 1984 when we went through that expansion," he noted.

France should lend works of art, they said, but without charge.

The Foundation also continues to lend works to exhibitions internationally.

People heard about the show and phoned in, volunteering to lend works that they owned.

"So it makes sense to lend works to the museum from time to time."

Two-thirds of the collectors who lent works for the show chose to remain anonymous.

The members lent works to exhibitions that changed annually, while an art school was held in the summer months.

Even though none of its holdings are for sale, the museum will readily lend works.

Mussorgsky lent works from his personal collection to the exhibit and viewed the show in person.

Others are more than happy to lend works to public institutions.