A new documentary about the Barnes Foundation, originally located in Lower Merion, is a cautionary tale for philanthropists who want to leave a legacy after they die. David Fletcher explained in his story for Philanthropy Daily.

Dr. Albert Barnes was passionate about living close to art and studying paintings closely. His wish was to help others gain an appreciation for the creativity and skill behind the canvases.

As his art collection continued to expand, he established his foundation to “promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts.”

With it, he built a gallery and arboretum in Lower Merion. Anyone could apply at the foundation to enroll as a student. For Barnes, art was for everyone.

The bylaws for his foundation stipulate that the collection nor any part of it should be loaned or moved, among other means of keeping it locally accessible.

In 1991, however, several paintings were sold to finance building repairs.

The following year, a court ruled that part of the collection could be loaned for a world tour.

The final violation of Barnes’ wishes came in 2004, when the foundation got the green light from a judge to move the collection to downtown Philadelphia.

Read more about the Barnes Foundation and the manner in which it sidestepped its founder’s final wishes in Philanthropy Daily.

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A video tour of the relocated Barnes Foundation collection.