While a substantial part of its resources is stored in the Main Building, Department II has a sub-department in the Sukiennice. Its curatorial scope comprises paintings by celebrated Polish artists from the late 18th century up to around 1900.

Works such as sketches and preliminary studies can help reconstruct the studios of painters active outside this country: Artur Grottger, Henryk Siemiradzki or Aleksander Gierymski. Part of the same collection are works of lesser-known artists associated with the Krakow art circles of the 19th century.