Collections

The Walters Art Museum’s collection spans more than seven millennia, from 5,000 BCE to the 21st century, and encompasses 36,000 objects. This extraordinary collection is rich in works that represent the height of human creativity and artistry.

Walking through the museum’s historic buildings visitors encounter a stunning panorama of thousands of years of art, from romantic 19th-century images of French gardens to mesmerizing Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and serene images of the Buddha.

The Walters’ collection sparks wonder and surprise. And in presenting it, we uncover the stories behind the objects, share those histories through multiple viewpoints, and illuminate the connections with our lives today.

Explore the Walters' collection Artworks

detail image of illuminated medieval music notation

Browse the Walters' magnificent manuscripts Manuscripts

Conservation

The Walters’ Conservation and Technical Research department, founded in 1934, is the third oldest museum laboratory in the country. The Conservation Window provides visitors with an opportunity to see our conservators at work. Conservators engage with visitors while working on conservation-related projects in a small studio space adjacent to our labs, equipped with a window opening.

Walters' Collection highlights

Our collection in one hour

Take a self-guided tour of the museum, starting in the Walters’ Centre Street building.

**Mummy and Painted Cartonnage of an Unknown Woman Egypt**, ca. 850-750 BCE (Third Intermediate Period)
Location: Centre Street, Second Floor, Egyptian Art

**Sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysus**, Roman, late 2nd century CE (Imperial)
Location: Centre Street, Second Floor, Roman Art

Hieronymus Francken II and Jan Brueghel, **The Archdukes Albert and Isabella Visiting the Collection of Pierre Roose**, 1621-1623
Location: Chamber of Wonders

**Rubens Vase**, Byzantine, ca. 400
Location: Centre Street, Third Floor, Early Byzantine Art

**The Mondsee Gospels and Treasure Binding with the Evangelists and Crucifixion**
Location: Centre Street, Third Floor, Migration and Early Medieval Art

Follower of Fre Seyon, **Diptych with the Virgin and Child**, Ethiopian, late 15th c.
Location: Centre Street, Third Floor, Byzantine, Russian, and Ethiopian Icons

**Ark Door with Hebrew Inscriptions**
Location: Centre Street, Third Floor, Byzantine, Russian, and Ethiopian Icons

**Mosque Lamp**
Location: Centre Street, Fourth Floor: Across Asia - Arts of Asia and the Islamic World

Trophime Bigot, **Judith Decapitating Holofernes**, ca. 1640 (37.653)
Location: Charles Street, Third Floor, 17th-century Art

Pietro Calvi, **Othello**, ca. 1873
Location: Charles Street, Third Floor: Cupola

René Lalique, **Orchid Comb**, 1903-1904
Location: Carriage House

Fra Carnevale, **The Ideal City**, 1480-84
Location: Palazzo, Third Floor

**Bodhisattva Guanyin**
China, late 14th–15th century Ming period
Location: Centre Street: Fourth Floor: Across Asia - Arts of Asia and the Islamic World

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Mummy and Painted Cartonnage of an Unknown Woman Egypt, ca. 850-750 BCE (Third Intermediate Period)
Location: Centre Street, Second Floor, Egyptian Art

The Walters Art Museum