The historical phenomenon of European artists' colonies, which began in the early 19th century, spans some 175 years and includes some 130 artists' colonies in Europe.

Despite the considerable geographical distance and diversity of cultural traditions, there are many artistic similarities between all these artists' colonies.

For all their differences in landscape, tradition and history, the artists' colonies were the setting for an artistic revival that revolutionized art throughout Europe, in both practice and style.

Barbizon, Tervuren, Kronberg, Ahrenshoop and Worpswede were the precursors. Highlighting them is a tribute to all the colonies of classical and modern artists in Europe.