A major part of the VU University Amsterdam (VU) collection originates from the library of Mr. Hendrik Bos (1881-1970), timber merchant, bibliophile and former Dean of the VU, acquired by the VU library in 1971. Clear traces of older collections can be found in the Bos collection. The other portraits were collected by the library itself.

The Museum Catherijneconvent collection of pastor portraits was compiled by way of purchases, donations and, in particular, by loans. These loans are mainly from churches. Examples are the graphic prints collections from the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, the Remonstrant parish in Rotterdam and the Netherlands Reformed Church (now part of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands).