Painters were fascinated by the tropical landscapes, picturesque
villages and markets, and especially the diverse inhabitants of the
Dutch East Indies. In the first half of the 20th century a large group
of European artists known as the Beautiful Indies painters worked there.
Today the qualities of these East Indies paintings are fully recognized.
Focusing on the exceptional Colauto-Van Peperstraten collection, this
book shows how private collectors played a pioneering role by becoming
experts in a field that was only recognized later as important by
museums and auction houses. Full attention is also given to the interest
in this art movement among collectors in postwar Indonesia, including
President Sukarno.