History of the collection

The collection of the Mauritshuis is the property of the Dutch state. The oldest part of the collection consists of the paintings owned in the 18th century by the Stadholder, Prince William V of Orange-Nassau (1748-1806). In 1815 his son, King William I(1772-1843), handed over these paintings to the Dutch state, thus providing the basis of the Royal Cabinet of Paintings, now called the Royal Picture Gallery.

In the last 200 years the collection of the Mauritshuis has grown considerably. In 1822 the museum housed around 200 paintings, but now it has nearly 800.

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