Cover from Czeck rep.

Date of publication: 05.03.2008
Face-value: 10.0 Kč
Print sheets: 30 stamps
Imprint dimension: 40 x 23 mm

Art design: Otakar Karlas
Engraving: Bohumil Šneider

This issue is designed to promote the World Stamp Exhibition PRAGA 2008 which is to be held on September 12-14, 2008 at the Prague-Holešovice Exhibition Grounds. The Navrátil's mural used on the stamp is also to commemorate the 90th anniversary of foundation of the Postal Museum in Prague (18.12.1918). J. Navrátil (1798-1865) was the most famous Prague decorative painter dominating in murals for town-houses and houses for aristocrats and the emperor. The nice two-floor house at Prague 1, Nové mlýny 2, the seat of the Postal Museum, is the original residential part of the former mill located at this site. In the 19th century it was the property of a rich miller and art benefactor Michalovic who asked his friend Navrátil for its decoration. The so-called Theatre Saloon displays 16 scenes from historical legends and theatre plays, e.g. Oldřich and Božena, Libuše's Judgement, Vilém Tell or Bath Servant Zuzana Carrying the King Wenceslas IV Over the Vltava River. We can admire the last one on the postage stamp. Located in the same room is also Navrátil's self-portrait used on the first day cover. The third saloon, the former dining room, displays paintings of romantic landscapes including Alpine scenes as remembered by the author from his travelling in Austria, Italy and Switzerland. These murals belong to the last murals painted by Navrátil in Prague. The postage stamp will be issued in the form of printed sheets and booklets of 8 stamps and 4 coupons.

Date of publication: 05.03.2008
Face-value: 10.0 Kč
Print sheets: 50 stamps
Imprint dimension: 30 x 23 mm
Art design: Otakar Karlas
Engraving: Bohumil Šneider

The postage stamp designed for Easter correspondence features the "Mourning over the Dead Christ", a detail from the panel altar painting created by the Master of the Vyšebrodský Cycle before 1350. This anonymous artist who belongs to the founders of the Czech Gothic panel painting is named after the alter in the South Bohemian Cistercian monastery at Vyšší Brod. The Cistercian order was famous for the cult of Mary. The completely preserved cycle of feasts, probably in the original form of a square retable, displays nine scenes of the Christ's life, from the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary up to the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The form of the painting combines the western linear concept with Italianising softening shapes. The work on canvas mounted on lime wood panel is the property of the National Gallery in Prague. The Vyšebrodský Master's cycle includes paintings such as, e.g. Madonna of Veveří, Strahov, Kladsko as well as murals in the vestry of St. Thomas Church at the Lesser Town in Prague.