The collection grew over the years. The Paris collection was divided for security reasons and part was sent to London. In 1936, the collection of Egyptian art was entrusted to the care of the British Museum while the finest paintings went to the National Gallery. Later, in 1948 and 1950, the same works would be sent on to the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
As his collection grew, Gulbenkian grew more concerned about how to preserve his achievement but also how to avoid paying taxes on his legacy. In 1937 he started discussions with Kenneth Clark, who had advised him in assembling his collection, about a ‘Gulbenkian Institute’ at the National Gallery in London. However, he was declared an ‘enemy under the act’ by the British Government during the Second World War because he had followed the French Government to Vichy as a member of the Persian diplomatic delegation.
The British temporarily confiscated his share of the oil from the Iraq Petroleum Company. Although this was a technical legal decision – and after the war, the concession was returned to him with compensation – this action of his adopted country irritated him as he suspected that his partners were using the British Government to squeeze him out of the partnership. Consequently, he then considered the National Gallery of Art in Washington as a potential home for his collection and in 1943 Lord Radcliffe, his British lawyer became his chief discussion partner and confidante.
At the time of his death Gulbenkian does not appear to have decided where he wanted his collection to be housed and finally left it to Radcliffe to decide. However, it was clear that Gulbenkian wanted his collection brought together under one roof where people could appreciate what one man could achieve in his lifetime.
After his death, arduous negotiations with the French Government and the National Gallery in Washington ensued. In 1960, the entire collection was brought to Portugal, where it was exhibited at the Palace of the Marquises of Pombal (Oeiras) from 1965 to 1969.
Fourteen years after the death of this illustrious collector his wish was fulfilled, when the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum – specially built to house his collection – opened in Lisbon.