The collection of the Kharkiv Art Museum is one of the oldest and most valuable art collections in Ukraine. The history of the unique collection of the museum dates back to 1805 — the time of the acquisition by Kharkiv University of 2477 graphic sheets of Western European masters. This collection included works by prominent artists of the XVI—XVIII centuries: A.Durer, H.Golcius, L.Giordano, P.Bruegel the Elder, A.Van Dyke, F.Boucher and others.In 1856 — 1858, the collection was replenished with gifts from the graduate of the university Ivan Betsy He donated more than 500 works by European painters of the 16th-18th centuries, including J. Van Cleve, F.Furini, L. Mehus, A.Sakki, P.Da Karton and others. By the will of another student of the university, Arkady Alferov, 50 Dutch and Dutch paintings were received in 1873. by Dutch masters, including J.Van Skorell, F.Floris, A.Verdul, S.de Vliger, 420 drawings and watercolors by J.Van Goyen, P.Moleyn, F.Parmigianino, L.Leiden, etc., 3000 engravings by masters of various European schools.Works from these collections, which were part of the University Museum of Red Arts and Antiquities, today are the basis of the department of foreign art of the Kharkiv Art Museum.