During the occupation of Mainz by France, Napoleon Bonaparte ordered to demolish historic buildings with one hand, and built museums with another hand, such as this one. Moreover, he even laid the foundation for its collection, presenting 36 paintings. Today, the museum displays works of art from the pre-Christian era to the present day, including works by Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Edgar Degas, William Turner, Alfred Sisley; exhibits related to Jewish culture in Germany, Jugendstil sculptures; armour and fragments of Jupiter column and Dativius Victor arch, found in Mainz and erected by the Romans. The collection is housed in several buildings: the former stables and barracks and construction of the ХХ century.