The World - News from Dec. 22, 1988

Spain signed a loan agreement with Swiss Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza that will bring 787 of the works in his collection of classic and modern art to the country for a decade. The agreement caps years of negotiations and represents a coup for Spain over such rival bidders as West Germany, Britain and Switzerland, as well as the private Getty Foundation in Malibu, Calif. The baron, who lives in Lugano, Switzerland, said his desire to have as many people as possible see his collection “was probably the most important motive” in his decision. The acquisition includes works by Holbein, El Greco, Goya, Velazquez, Max Beckmann, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Monet and Degas.