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.