The Alte Nationalgalerie is the original home of the Nationalgalerie (National Gallery), whose collections today are divided between the Neue Nationalgalerie (New National Gallery), the Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart (Hamburger Bahnhof - National Gallery of Contemporary Art), the Friedrichswerdersche Kirche (Friedrichswerder Church), Museum Berggruen (Museum Berggruen) and the Sammlung Scharf-Gerstenberg (Scharf-Gerstenberg Collection).

The collection of the Alte Nationalgalerie is one of the most extensive period collections of art from between the French Revolution and World War I; between Neoclassicism and Secession. The collection is further enhanced by the unique harmony between the collection and the architectural style of the building in which it is housed.

Today, the Alte Nationalgalerie owns approximately 1800 paintings and 1500 sculptures.