The Bäcksbacka collection, donated by the estate of Leonard and Katarina Bäcksbacka, is the keystone of the Helsinki City Art Museum's art collections. Leonard Bäcksbacka (1892–1963) was an art historian, dealer and gallerist. He was a passionate lover of art and followed the Finnish and the French art scenes intimately.

In the first half of the 20th century, which is the focus of the Bäcksbacka collection, international art was influenced by the French scene. In the 1930s and 1940s Leonard Bäcksbacka started to actively show French artists in Finland. He made numerous trips to Paris where he met many artists and displayed their works in exhibitions at his gallery, Taidesalonki. At the same time he also began to build his own collection of French art.

The exhibition presents the international dimensions of the Bäcksbacka collection by displaying Finnish and French artists' works side by side. French influences are examined through five different themes. Also on display are classic works by Finnish artists who were especially important to Bäcksbacka.