The Fitzwilliam Museum’s collection of paintings comprises nearly 1700 works, ranging from the 13th to the 21st century.

Among the highlights are paintings by Italian artists, especially those of the Venetian school, with masterpieces by Titian, Veronese, Bellotto and Canaletto; a superb collection of landscapes of all schools, including a notable group of atmospheric outdoor oil sketches by Corot, Turner and Constable; a distinguished group of portraits and portrait miniatures by British artists from the 17th to the 20th century, and a remarkable range of works by French Impressionist painters.

There are significant holdings of Dutch and Flemish paintings, among which are distinguished works by Ruisdael, Hobbema, Hals and Rubens. The collection of French paintings has grown significantly in recent years with the gift, bequest and purchase of paintings by Poussin, Delacroix, Géricault, Courbet and Monet among others.

A particular strength are works by late-19th and 20th-century British and French artists, with outstanding groups of paintings by Vuillard, Bonnard, Sickert, Augustus John, Stanley Spencer and Matisse.

Thanks to the gift in 1966 and later bequest (1973) of Henry Rogers Broughton, 2nd Lord Fairhaven, the Fitzwilliam has one of the most important collections of flower paintings and drawings anywhere.