Scott No: -
Serial number: 2018-20
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: August 4, 2018
Denomination: 400 fen
Designer: Wang Huming
Size of stamps: 50 * 36 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 12
Size of sheet: 220 * 105 mm
Printing process: Offset and Engraving
Printing House: Henan Provincal Postage Stamp Printing Works

The Scroll of Landscapes of the Four Seasons was painted by Liu Songnian, one of the "Four Great Masters of the Southern Song Dynasty". Executed on silk with mineral and organic pigments, it measures 40 cm in height and 69 cm in width, and is currently housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing. The scroll is divided into four sections, depicting the scenes of spring, summer, autumn, and winter respectively. Characterized by exquisite brushwork, fresh and moist color application, appropriate rendering of seasonal vibes, and vigorous yet elegant ink techniques, this scroll is a representative work of Liu Songnian, perfectly integrating "jiehua" (architectural painting with ruled lines) with the theme of landscapes across the four seasons.

Landscapes of the Four Seasons is a special stamp issued by China Post on August 4, 2018, to showcase the Scroll of Landscapes of the Four Seasons. The set includes 4 individual stamps and 1 miniature sheet, with the stamp issue number 2018-20.
The 4 stamps in the Landscapes of the Four Seasons set each feature a partial view of the four seasonal landscapes from the painting. The total face value of the complete set is 4 yuan, and there is an additional miniature sheet priced at 6 yuan.

The First Scene: Spring

This scene portrays a villa by a dyke. Peach and plum blossoms compete in beauty, tender willow branches form a shade, distant mountains are veiled in mist, and grasses and trees brim with vitality—all combining to evoke a strong sense of spring and a relaxed mood.

The Second Scene: Summer

It depicts a waterside pavilion and a cool courtyard by the lake. In front of the courtyard, lake rocks serve as decorations, and flowers and trees grow in clusters. The waterside pavilion stretches into the lake, bearing a remarkable resemblance to the charm of "Pinghu Qiuyue" (Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake) on the Bai Causeway of West Lake. In the scene, the master sits in the middle of the courtyard to enjoy the cool and the view, with a servant standing beside him.

The Third Scene: Autumn

This section shows old trees frosted, their leaves displaying brilliant red and purple hues. The courtyard is enclosed by walls with trees and rocks inside, and a small bridge leads to a secluded spot. Inside the courtyard, the windows are bright and the tables are clean; an elderly man sits alone to relax, while a young servant draws water to boil tea—presenting a scene of leisure and tranquility.

The Fourth Scene: Winter

It illustrates a quadrangular courtyard by the lake. Tall pines stand straight, green bamboos are capped with white snow, and distant mountains, nearby rocks, the ground, and roof tiles are all covered in a vast expanse of whiteness. On a bridge, an old man rides a donkey holding an umbrella, with a servant guiding the way ahead. He seems to be wandering in search of poetic inspiration and plum blossoms in the snow, fully embodying the delight of a leisurely life.

The designer of the stamps is Wang Huming, Deputy Chief Designer of the Stamp Printing Bureau of China Post Group Corporation. He has designed numerous commemorative and special stamps, including the series featuring ancient paintings such as The Night Revels of Han Xizai, the series of New Year paintings like Yangliuqing Woodblock New Year Paintings, as well as stamps like 30th Anniversary of the Reform and Opening-up, Chicken Blood Stone Seals, Three Hundred Tang Poems, and Phoenix (Cultural Relics).