Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel is largely responsible for Kassel's exceptional antiquities collection. His outstanding acquisitions, for example of antique sculptures during his trip to Italy in 1776/1777, became the basis of the collection.
Frederick II's predecessors, his father William VIII, Landgrave of Hesse and his grandfather Charles, had established the foundations. The Hercules Monument in Kassel represents a first clue to the landgraves of Kassel's enthusiastic interest in antiquity. Besides Greek marble reliefs which his soldiers brought their landgrave Charles from Athens, he acquired Antonio Capello's cameo collection in 1700. Although primarily known as the founder of Kassel's art gallery, Wilhelm VIII's spectrum of interests was wide. His acquisitions, for example at the auction of the Wassenaer-d'Obdam collection in Den Haag in 1750, illustrate his interest in antique and antiqued art.
During the 19th and 20th century, the curators responsible for the collection added to it according to certain specific criteria, initially on behalf of the Prussian and then later of the Hessian state. The continued further development of the science of archaeology constantly called for the inclusion of new eras (Minoan Crete, Mycenae, Egypt) and art landscapes (Etruria, Lower Italy, Asia Minor). Today, no further acquisitions are made. The entire collection of approx. 4,500 objects may be viewed in the Hessen Kassel Heritage online database.