The Art Gallery of NSW has a collection of art depicting the history of art in Australia for 100's of years.

The gallery was opened in 1884 and in the early 20th century it was enhanced in the classical tradition. The modern additions are well integrated. In 1971 the exhibition doubled in space and in 1988 the Captain Cook Bicentenary Wing was completed.

The Captain Cook wing has a strong Australian flavour of art from the 20th century.