Scott No: 3455
Serial number: 2005-25
Values in set: 10
Date of issue: September 28, 2005
Denomination: 800 fen
Designer: Wang Huming
Size of stamps:
50*30 mm for item 1, 2, 8, 10;
60*30 mm for item 3, 5, 6, 7;
40*30 mm for item 4, 9;
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 10
Size of sheet: 276*110 mm
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Henan Post & Telecom Printing Works

This special stamp set, Nymph of the Luo River, was issued on September 28, 2005. It consists of ten stamps with a total face value of 8.00 yuan, designed by Wang Huming, with Zhao Lei serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory using a combination of offset and intaglio (engraving) printing. The ten stamps are in a horizontal continuous format, forming a complete long scroll, with materials provided by the Palace Museum.

The painting Nymph of the Luo River is traditionally attributed to the Eastern Jin artist Gu Kaizhi, based on the rhapsody "Nymph of the Luo River" by the poet Cao Zhi. The surviving version is a Song Dynasty copy and is considered a masterpiece of early Chinese figure painting. The scroll presents a continuous narrative of Cao Zhi's encounter with the nymph of the Luo River, their mutual admiration, and eventual parting. The composition integrates landscapes, deities, and ceremonial processions, with figures portrayed with graceful and expressive gestures. The brushwork is ethereal and flowing, blending literary imagery with painting. This stamp set presents the painting in sections, with the full text of the rhapsody hidden in micro-engraving, combining image and text and capturing the poetic spirit of Wei-Jin painting while preserving this treasured work of art.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 1

The scene depicts Cao Zhi and his entourage resting by the Luo River after a long journey. The weary figures and the twilight landscape set the opening tone for the story, establishing a mood of distant longing.

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 2

Cao Zhi catches a glimpse of the nymph of the Luo River, standing ethereally on the water. The figure is light and graceful, with attendants and celestial birds surrounding her. Their first encounter is dreamlike and ethereal, revealing her transcendent grace.

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 3

Immortals and deities such as the water god and wind god appear, rising and dancing in the air. The landscape of flowing water and rocks creates a fantastical and romantic atmosphere.

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 4

The nymph rides the wind, surrounded by celestial maidens, their robes flowing in the air. The figures move lightly over hills and streams, embodying the beauty of Gu Kaizhi's "high ancient flowing silk" line technique.

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 5

The nymph steps out with her attendants, accompanied by canopies and banners. The landscape of mountains and trees frames the scene, capturing the tender moment of mutual gaze and unspoken feelings between the two.

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 6

The nymph looks back longingly as Cao Zhi gazes at her, their eyes meeting across the distance. The mountains and water emphasize the separation and the gentle sorrow of unfulfilled love.

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 7

Dragons and magical fish escort the nymph's grand dragon boat as it glides across the waves. The scene is magnificent and fantastical, one of the most spectacular in the scroll.

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 8

A large, ornate boat floats on the river, with figures leaning on the railings, gazing at each other. The gentle waves reflect the lingering emotions of parting.

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 9

A farewell banquet is set up on the shore, and Cao Zhi sits in quiet reflection, gazing at the river. He is filled with longing but must face the inevitable parting, expressing a sense of helpless sadness.

Nymph of the Luo River (Detail) – Stamp 10

The entourage prepares to depart, and Cao Zhi reluctantly sets out on his journey, looking back at the Luo River. The scene ends with lingering memories and a sense of eternal longing.

Artistic and Design Features

The ten stamps, with varying lengths, are printed horizontally in a continuous format, forming a complete ancient scroll. The aged, yellowish tone of the silk is reproduced to reflect the texture of the original work. The combined offset and intaglio printing captures the delicate and flowing lines of the painting. An invisible micro-engraving technique is used to hide the full text of the rhapsody in the blank spaces of the design, revealing the text under side light without disturbing the visual integrity of the painting. The stamps incorporate multiple anti-counterfeiting features, including security paper, security ink, and fluorescent spray codes. The set seamlessly combines a famous ancient painting with classical literature, offering both literary and artistic collectible value.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of ancient Chinese painting scrolls, suitable for thematic collections on classical painting, literature, and calligraphy.