Art Collection of the University Göttingen

The collection is housed in facilities associated with the Institute of Art History. Following a major renovation period that began in early 2008, the collection was reopened to the public on April 15, 2011. During the renovation, works were temporarily removed from display, though the university maintained engagement through monthly public viewings of single works during lecture series. The gallery is currently accessible to the public on Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00 as part of the 'Göttinger Sonntagsspaziergänge' (Göttingen Sunday Strolls). Additionally, the gallery opens during the duration of special exhibitions, while the graphic collection is available by appointment.

The collection comprises approximately 350 paintings, 2,500 drawings, 20,000 prints, 15,000 photographs, around 300 sculptures, and roughly 150 video art works. A significant portion of the painting collection focuses on Dutch and Flemish masters, including works by Rembrandt and Jan Steen, alongside a strong representation of Old German prints and drawings. The sculpture department features medieval and early modern pieces from the German-speaking world, many acquired in the 1920s and 1930s through purchases and donations funded by the University Association. These works are intended to facilitate comparative study of style, form, and technique.

As a 'Lehrsammlung' (teaching collection), the primary significance of the Art Collection lies in its integration into academic instruction. The exhibitions are often conceptualized by students, providing them with practical experience in recognizing stylistic, formal, and technical characteristics of art history. The collection supports both disciplinary and interdisciplinary teaching, serving as a vital resource for the Department of Art History. It preserves the legacy of the university's early commitment to the arts, bridging the gap between private 18th-century legacies and modern academic research, while also actively engaging in digitalization projects to contextualize provenance and heterogenous objects.

The collection's history includes a notable incident in 1973 when the painting 'Kreuztragung Christi' (Carrying of the Cross) was stolen, highlighting the security challenges faced by such institutions. In recent decades, the collection has expanded to include contemporary media, specifically video art from international artists, reflecting a shift towards modern and post-modern artistic practices. The university has also undertaken significant research and digitalization efforts, such as the project to catalog and digitize the holdings of the Schlözer family, further enhancing the accessibility and scholarly value of the archive.