Collection

The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art’s collection comprises objects from a range of cultures and periods from the ancient to the present day acquired throughout Hamilton College’s 200-year history. A selection of works drawn from the collection is featured in the soaring floor-to-ceiling glass cases in Archive Hall and as part of themed displays in the adjacent Object Study Gallery. Thousands of objects from the collection and study collection are searchable on the museum’s website and are available for class and scholarly visits by appointment. Areas of strength within the collection include ancient artifacts, contemporary art, indigenous art, photography, and works on paper from the Renaissance through today, with unique specialized collections including the Beinecke Collection of the Lesser Antilles and the Dorothy Shakespear Collection of British Vorticism. The Wellin Museum’s globally representative collection supports its teaching mission by providing access to artworks and artifacts through class visits, highlights on view, and the website as a portal to the Wellin Museum's holdings.

The Wellin Museum's online catalog is periodically updated to reflect recent acquisitions and new scholarship. Visitors are encouraged to return to the site frequently.



To request high-resolution images for research or publication purposes, please submit an Image Request Form.