Scott No: 3433-34
Serial number: 2005-9
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: May 18, 2005
Denomination: 160 fen
Designer: Li Qingfa
Size of stamps: 30*40mm
Perforation: 12.5
Sheet composition: 8
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

This special stamp set, Masterpieces of Painting, was issued on May 18, 2005. It consists of two stamps with a total face value of 1.60 yuan, jointly designed by Wang Huming and Robert Steel, with Chen Jing serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. This is a joint issue between China and Liechtenstein.

This is the first joint art-themed stamp issue between the two countries, featuring classic masterpieces from each. One stamp showcases a traditional Chinese gongbi flower-and-bird painting, while the other features a classical European still-life oil painting. One from the East, one from the West; one ancient, one modern — the set beautifully integrates the distinct artistic aesthetics and systems of both cultures. Through these masterpieces, the stamps transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, presenting the unique charm and aesthetic differences of Eastern and Western painting. They serve as a friendly bridge for cultural exchange and artistic dialogue between the two nations, making this a classic issue in the genre of Sino-foreign art collaboration.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Okra and Hollyhock

This stamp features a traditional Chinese gongbi flower-and-bird painting by the Ming Dynasty artist Wen Shu. The composition is elegant and spacious, with okra leaves spreading gracefully and petals rendered with delicate, refined brushwork. The flowers and leaves interact in a lifelike, vibrant manner, with subtle, soft colors and delicate layers. The painting embodies the refined, ethereal, and poetic quality of Chinese literati painting, showcasing the exquisite skill of traditional gongbi art and the subtle, elegant aesthetic of Eastern culture, carrying the profound cultural heritage of a thousand years of Chinese painting.

Flowers in a Niche

This stamp features a classical European still-life oil painting from Liechtenstein. Set against an antique stone niche, a glass vase holds a vibrant bouquet of tulips, roses, and carnations. The petals are translucent and full, with glistening dewdrops, rendered with lifelike detail. Insects such as a cicada, spider, and fly are delicately incorporated, adding layers of life and movement. The use of precise perspective creates a strong sense of three-dimensional space, perfectly replicating the realistic and meticulous style of Western classical still-life painting, showcasing the refined texture of traditional European oil painting.

Artistic and Design Features

The two stamps are presented side by side in a horizontal format, creating a striking and complementary contrast between Eastern and Western painting styles. The light, ink-wash elegance of the Chinese painting contrasts vividly with the rich, realistic textures of the Western oil painting. The photogravure printing precisely captures the color layers, brushwork, and textures of both masterpieces, with warm, translucent tones and a refined, high-quality finish. The stamps incorporate multiple anti-counterfeiting features, including security paper, security ink, and fluorescent spray codes. The overall design is simple and grand, with a strong artistic ambiance.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of classic masterpieces and Sino-foreign art exchange, suitable for thematic collections on cross-cultural art appreciation and the study of ancient and modern painting.