The museum exhibits the old European art collections (dating between the 14th and 19th centuries) of the Finnish National Gallery.

The building housing the museum was constructed in 1842 by the Russian businessman Nikolai Sinebryukhov, whose brewery, Sinebrychoff, operated in the western side of the premises until 1992.

[1] His brother's family lived in the house, and his nephew, Paul, began an art collection.

Along with his actress wife, Fanny Sinebrychoff, he amassed a collection of about 900 items, mostly paintings (100 by the Old Masters and approximately 350 portrait miniatures), but also including antique furniture, silverware, and porcelain.

[3] Other items in the museum include glassware, porcelain, and silverware, as well as some sculptures, clocks, and antique furniture.