From 1905 it has been staying in the building designed specially for the museum by architect V.Neimanis. The museum keeps and exhibits collections of artistic works reflecting history of Latvian and Russian art up to 1945. Among painters - V.Purvitis, J.Rozentals, N.Rerih, I.Aivazovsky. 14,000 units in the museum's reserve. The museum is the biggest in Latvia repository of foreign art works.
Display represents history of ancient art of Egypt, Greece, Rome, Middle East and India.
The history of the museum started in 1920. In the building of arsenal built in the XIX century in the style of classicism, an exhibition hall was opened in 1988 where exhibitions of Latvian and foreign art are held. The display reflects development of Latvian professional applied art from the end of the XIX century up to the 80's of the XX century. The display contains various items of Latvian culture. The museum was opened in 1990.