The Dorset County Museum has a diverse art collection, ranging from artists such as Sir Thomas Gainsborough and Sir James Thornhill to Alfred Wallis and Christopher Wood. Most of the paintings in the collection are gifts or bequests that have been made to the museum over the past two centuries. The collection also includes several thousand watercolours by Henry Joseph Moule, a prolific 19th century artist who painted the landscape in and around Dorchester. Henry Joseph Moule was the first Curator of the Dorset County Museum, and a great friend of Thomas Hardy, who he taught to paint. The Moule collection provides a unique record of the Victorian countryside.

Unfortunately, only a tiny proportion of the art collection is on show. Behind the scenes, several thousand engravings, oil paintings and watercolours are in storage. The Museum has a policy to try to show this work as part of its temporary exhibition programme.

However, as with all the Museum's collections, it is possible to make an appointment to come into the Museum and see items which are not on display. Please contact the main office on 01305 262735 to make an appointment.