I never understood just how wealthy Cambridge University was until yesterday when Mick and I visited this museum.

Below – a side-on shot with part of the Cambridge skyline in the background.

The Fitzwilliam Museum building was commenced in the mid 19th Century using funds, left in his will, by the 7th Viscount FitzWilliam. He also bequeathed his book and personal art collection.

Since then, the museum has received other substantial donations which allowed it to extend the original building and collection.

It is stunning inside.

We did not see everything – and it is worthy of a return visit, or several in fact, as it is free admission.

There were several paintings by Renoir. This was my pick of them.

One of the main reasons Mick wanted to go was because our host had told us there was a painting by Cézanne, and he’d never seen an original one before.

There were beautiful paintings by Monet, Pissarro and Degas. Names of French impressionists I’d learnt off by heart when I was a high school student. They were all here.

This Van Gogh painting is the only one of his here and it struck me as being very different to the style I usually associate with him.

There was a classic Picasso – labelled as a cubist head from 1909-1910.

Plus there were rooms and rooms of paintings of Italian Art – mostly religious subjects. Mick found one that he had a personal connection with. It wasn’t until he reached the painting just to his left in this photo did he realise.

This is a painting by ‘Thommaso’ of Saint Sebastian, the Saint Mick took as his confirmation name.

My favourite piece of the whole museum was a sculpture by Rodin.

This museum and its collection are the property of Cambridge University. Apparently it is the lead museum for The Cambridge University Museum Consortium.

If you get the chance to visit, go!!