The Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo has been on a selling spree as of late, disposing of more than 200 works at Sotheby's this season. On June 6, its prized bronze statue Artemis and the Stag sold for a staggering $28.5 million, five times its estimate and a record for any sculpture or antiquity at auction.

Altogether the works have fetched $76 million (including Sotheby's commission) against a presale estimate of $20 to $30 million. With the proceeds, the Albright-Knox aims to collect more modern and contemporary art. The sum could get them a decent Warhol.

Deaccessioning museum artworks was once a hot-button issue. To a lesser degree, it still is (protestors filed a lawsuit to try to halt the Albright-Knox sales) but public outrage doesn't always carry the weight you might expect. Just a decade ago selling works from your permanent collection was as likely to elicit criticism from your colleagues as was selling your name or renting your collection to keep your institution in the black (or in the green). Of course, that was before Tom Krens came to town and the Louvre ate his franchise concept for breakfast.

Next, in Part 2 of "The Grand Tour": A fiscally puritanical art world grows more comfortable with its capitalist side.

-- KELLY DEVINE THOMAS