 The directorship of Neil MacGregor saw a major rehang at the Gallery , dispensing with the classification of paintings by national school that had been introduced by Eastlake . The new chronological hang sought to emphasise the interaction between cultures rather than fixed national characteristics , reflecting the change in art historical values since the 19th century . In other respects , however , Victorian tastes were rehabilitated : the building 's interiors were no longer considered an embarrassment and were restored , and in 1999 the Gallery accepted a bequest of 26 Italian Baroque paintings from Sir Denis Mahon . Earlier in the 20th century many considered the Baroque to be beyond the pale : in 1945 the Gallery 's trustees declined to buy a Guercino from Mahon 's collection for £ 200 . The same painting was valued at £ 4 million in 2003 . Mahon 's bequest was made on the condition that the Gallery would never deaccession any of its paintings or charge for admission . 
