The Kassel Landgraves not only implemented ambitious construction projects. As impressively demonstrated by the Old Masters Picture Gallery in Wilhelmshöhe Palace, they were also passionate art collectors. The permanent exhibition showcases over 500 artworks on three floors. With a total of 2,300 paintings, the collection is one of the most significant of its kind in Germany.

Old Masters are the European painters from the 14th to the 18th century. The Kassel collection has one of the largest holdings in the world with twelve paintings by their most famous representative, Rembrandt. Two of Rembrandt's most famous works can be seen here: "Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph" and the portrait of Saskia - Rembrandt's wife and great love.

Numerous masterpieces by famous Dutch artists from Rembrandt's generation - such as Rubens or van Dyck - are also part of the world-famous collection. In Kassel, there are also works by old masters of German, Italian, French, and Spanish painting, including major works by Dürer, Titian, and Murillo.

The extensive collection is mainly due to the collecting passion of Landgrave Wilhelm VIII. He purchased hundreds of artworks throughout Europe in the mid-18th century and had a separate gallery building constructed for this collection. In 1877, the paintings were moved to the building of the current Neue Galerie, where they remained until the outbreak of World War II. Since 1974, the Old Masters Picture Gallery has been located in Wilhelmshöhe Castle.