The collection offers a magnificent overview of Dutch and Flemish painting from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century. In addition there is for instance a select collection of German sixteenth-century paintings.

The most important part of the collection consists of Dutch paintings from the seventeenth century, the Golden Age. This period is characterised by a prolific output of paintings, high quality and a specialization in subject matter. Many artists applied themselves to paintings in one genre, such as historical paintings, portraits, landscapes or still lives. In the Mauritshuis collection these genres are all represented.