Built by order of the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria in 1776, the Brera Picture Gallery is a national gallery of ancient art, old master paintings and modern art ranging from prehistory to the contemporary art scene, with masterpieces by such artists as Mantegna (Lamentation over the Dead Christ), Raphael (Marriage of the Virgin) and Caravaggio (Supper at Emmaus). Its unique collection is a result of the approach adopted under Napoleon, when it was designated as a gallery representing Italian art of every region and from every period in history.