National Gallery accused of risking ‘bad blood’ with Tate over 20th-century art

Sources say decision to collect ‘modern’ art could have two galleries ‘at each others’ throats’ – but others welcome move

A decision to tear up an agreement between the National Gallery and Tate, which stopped the Trafalgar Square institution from collecting works created after 1900, could create “bad blood” and a situation in which the two galleries are “at each other’s throats”, according to senior sources.

The National Gallery announced the shift as part of Project Domani, which involves it receiving £375m of investment for a new wing that will usher in a “new tomorrow” at the 200-year-old institution.