 In 1823 another major art collection came on the market , which had been assembled by the recently deceased John Julius Angerstein . Angerstein was a Russian @-@ born émigré banker based in London ; his collection numbered 38 paintings , including works by Raphael and Hogarth 's Marriage à @-@ la @-@ mode series . On 1 July 1823 George Agar Ellis , a Whig politician , proposed to the House of Commons that it purchase the collection . The appeal was given added impetus by Beaumont 's offer , which came with two conditions : that the government buy Angerstein 's collection , and that a suitable building was to be found . The unexpected repayment of a war debt by Austria finally moved the government to buy Angerstein 's collection , for £ 57 @,@ 000 . 
