 The new director ’ s taste was for the Northern and Early Italian Renaissance masters or " primitives " , who had been neglected by the Gallery ’ s acquisitions policy but were slowly gaining recognition from connoisseurs . Eastlake made annual tours to the continent and to Italy in particular , seeking out appropriate paintings to buy for the Gallery . In all , he bought 148 pictures abroad and 46 in Britain , among the former such seminal works as Paolo Uccello ’ s Battle of San Romano . Eastlake also amassed a private art collection during this period , consisting of paintings that he knew did not interest the trustees . His ultimate aim , however , was for them to enter the National Gallery ; this was duly arranged upon his death by his friend and successor as director , William Boxall , and his widow Lady Eastlake . 
