The artistic culture of Taos spans centuries. The establishment of the community as an art colony, however, was due to the adventurous spirit of several painters who came to Taos and became enchanted by the unique communities, breathtaking landscapes and quality of light and seemingly unspoiled way of life. The Taos Society of Artists was founded by Irving Couse, Oscar E. Beninghaus, W. Herbert Dunton, Ernest Blumenschein and Bert Phillips, known as the “Taos Six.” In the early 1900s these artists introduced Taos to the globe and transformed the remote mountain town into the world-renowned art center that continues into the 21st century.