Donors

The earliest donations

Much of the art collection has come into being through donations. The foundations were laid in the 17th century, with gifts from royalty and the nobility. In 1622, Gustavus Adolphus donated a collection of icons from Riga, which are the first works of art known to have been owned by the university. In 1668, a series of portraits were gifted by Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie. The art cabinet from Augsburg was donated in 1694 by Karl XI.

Donations during the 19th century

The 19th century was important for the university's art collection, with several large donations. Adolf Ludvig Stjerneld donated a series of historical paintings in 1835. Karl Hård af Segerstad's donation, which included Pieter Aertsen's Meat stall from 1551, was presented in 1840 as "the beginning of an art museum". Johan Henrik Schröder's donation in 1851 mainly contained older paintings, including a so-called ‘World Landscape’ from the 16th century.

Donations during the 20th century

A number of significant works were donated in 1938 by Claes Livijn. Gösta and Annie Huselius' donation in 1941 included, among other things, Pieter Breughel's Peasant wedding from 1602. A later donation consisted of a large number of paintings and drawings by Bruno Liljefors, presented by Lindorm and Marianne Liljefors in 1978 and 1982.