The painting collection of the Museum represents 5 centuries of Maritime art that spans many nationalities and genres. The collection is organized into 3 galleries:
Seascape Gallery
Dutch and Flemish 17th Century
British 18th and 19th Centuries
20th and 21st Centuries
Gun Deck Gallery
Trade War Battle Scenes
Trade in Europe, Asia, Africa
Ship Portraits
Engravings
North Gallery
New England Gloucester Fishing
California Gold Rush and Lumber Trade
Seascapes in Water Media, 4 Centuries