The painting conveys an overpowering atmosphere of artistry, in the residence of art patron Savva Ivanovich Mamontov - Abramtsevo estate, located north of Moscow. There, Mamontov an artistic union which included most of the best Russian artists of the beginning of 20th century, such as Konstantin Korovin, Mikhail Nesterov, Ilya Repin, Vasily Polenov, Valentin Serov, Mikhail Vrubel, the brothers Vasnetsov, sculptors Viktor Hartmann and Mark Antokolsky, as well as many others. Mamontov also patronized the Russian Private Opera which discovered the great Russian bass Chaliapin, and supported the Russian opera composers Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Alexander Borodin, Modest Musorgsky. The painting embodied the ideal of "welcome", to identify further development path of Russian Impressionism. In the center - iconic image of the elder daughter of Mamontov - Vera (Faith). Artist carries a harmonious internal world of the tiny "Muse" of Abramtsevo.

The plot of Abduction of Europe is very common in the art world. It derived from ancient Greek mythology. King of the Gods Zeus by transforming into bull, kidnapped the beautiful Europe, the daughter of the Phoenician king. The painting creation influenced by impressions of artist travel to Greece.

Henrietta Leopoldovna Girshman (1885-1970), wife of the financier and art patron V.O. Girshman. This Serov's painting enters into a dialogue with the great painters of the past, rising to the highest mastery of art level. The Important role, plays double reflection effect: in the depths of mirror, placed not just reflection of the model, but also a self-portrait of the artist at work.