"French law forbids national museums from selling anything in their collections, unlike many museums in the United States, which can de-accession works."

Did American museums' promiscuous deaccessioning practices contribute to the decision by Spencer and Marlene Hays to leave their incredible collection to France?

Maybe some day American museums will understand that they hold their works in the public trust, to be accessible to present and future generations, and they shouldn't be sold off in the normal course.