Gely Korzhev - Homer

Gely Korzhev (1925 -   ) -  Homer (1959)

Russian Stamp Issued 1968

Korzhev was a painter who did his work in the socialist realism style that was sponsored by the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 1960s.  Many of his works conveyed messages that were not wholly in a style that promoted the state sponsored propaganda of the communist era in Russia.

Paul Gauguin - Arearea (Joyousness)

Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) - Arearea (Joyousness) (1892)

France Stamp issued 1968

Musee d'Orsay Paris

This painting was completed by Gauguin when he was in Tahiti, paving the way for the art world at the time, leading towards a greater interest in primitive arts.  His paintings are good examples of symbolism - this painting contains a group of people worshiping a statue at the rear of the painting, a red dog and the sky is not visible, even though this is an outdoor scene.

Gauguin did not achieve a great deal of success when he exhibited his Tahiti paintings in Paris in 1893, but he lead the way for other artists who became interested in primitive arts in the 20th century.  He died in the Dominique Islands in the South Pacific in poor circumstances.

Salvador Dali - Christ of Saint John of the Cross

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Christ of St John of the Cross (1951)

Guyana 25c Stamp Issued Easter 1968

This is one of Dali's most popular and moving works - currently held in the Kelvingrove Gallery in Glasgow. 

The perspective is amazing, as Dali looks down on the crucified Christ, but we have a scene underneath, which is clearly painted from a front perspective.  Christ is not harmed by the nails in his hands, there is no blood and he does not wear a crown of thorns.    The painting was reportedly vandalised by someone in 1961, as they took offence at the perspective - looking down on Christ.

The scene at the base of the painting is from Port Lligat, a place that inspired Dali throughout his art career.  The people beside the boat are derived from a picture by Le Nain and from a drawing by Velazquez for The Surrender of Breda.

Unknown Artist - The Darnley Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I

Federigo Zuccaro (1540-1609) - The Darnley Portrait (Queen Elizabeth I) (1575)
Great Britain 4d Stamp Issued 1968
National Portrait Gallery, London

Note that this artist may not have been the painter of this important portrait of the queen, which was almost certainly created by the artist through a live sitting with the queen at the time.  This portrait is said to have started a trend in the composition of images of the virgin queen - she is portrayed in a very regal and serious manner, with pale features and ornate garments.