The Museum's presentation of the European Collection shifts the focus from chronology to content, linking works thematically. By highlighting the connections and differences between each work of art, visitors are encouraged to look into the paintings - into their stories and meaning - to enhance their understanding of the art and to increase their visual literacy.

The Renaissance and Baroque eras were times in Europe when the Catholic Church drove both society and artistic production. Nevertheless, these centuries did witness significant social and economic changes - the Protestant Reformation and the rise of a middle class, for example. Understandably, these changes had great impact on the arts, which can be explored in the newly reinstalled collection at the Museum. One hundred works from the permanent collection have been grouped into two broad sections: Sacred Europe and Secular Europe. Within each section are themes that serve to interpret the function and meaning of each work of art.

• Sacred Europe
• Secular Europe
       Landscapes/Cityscapes

For more information on our European Collection, please visit our online catalogue.

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