This collection explores Britain's struggle to carve a niche for itself on the international art scene. International scholars shed new light on such notions as the internationalization of the art market, the emergence of an increasingly complex exhibition culture, issues of national rivalry, artists' strategies for their own promotion, the persistent anti-commercialism of an elite group of art lovers and critics and accusations of philistinism levelled at the middle classes. Specific case studies include Whistler, Roger Fry, Damien Hirst, and Charles Saatchi, essays consider art markets from London and Manchester to Paris and Flanders.