This museum is situated in the center of Chisinau, making it the sole institution of its kind in the Republic of Moldova. Established in 1939 by the sculptor Alexandru Plămădeală and Auguste Baillayre, a French painter and professor at the “School of Fine Arts” in Chisinau, who also served as the inaugural director of the National Art Museum of Moldova.

The museum’s collection encompasses over 39,000 works, providing a comprehensive overview of the development of fine arts from the XV-XXI centuries. It consistently features exhibitions showcasing European, Russian, and Oriental art. Presently, the museum is housed in the former girls’ gymnasium building, originally founded by Princess Natalia Dadiani in the early 20th century.