Founded in 1832, when patriot-artist John Trumbull donated to Yale College more than one hundred of his paintings, the Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in the United States. Today, the Gallery’s encyclopedic collections number more than 185,000 objects ranging in date from ancient times to the present day. These holding comprise a world-renowned collection of American paintings and decorative arts; outstanding collections of Greek and Roman art, including the artifacts excavated at the ancient Roman city of Dura-Europos; the Jarves, Griggs, and Rabinowitz Collections of early Italian paintings; European, Asian, and African art from diverse cultures, including more than five hundred African objects donated to the Gallery by the late Charles Benenson; art of the ancient Americas; the Societe Anonyme Collection of early 20th-century European and American art; and Impressionist, modern, and contemporary works. The Gallery is both a collecting and an education institution, and all activities are aimed at providing an invaluable resource and experience for Yale University faculty, staff, and students, as well as for the general public. The museum is free an open to the public.