Konstantin Flavitsky - Princess Tarakanova, in the Peter and Paul Fortress at the Time of the Flood

Konstantin Flavitsky (1830-1866) - Princess Tarakanova, in the Peter and Paul Fortress at the Time of the Flood 

Russia 6k Stamp Issued 1980

Painting held in Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

This painting is an artistic impression of the last moments of Princess Tarakanova, meaning the Princess of Cockroaches.  She was imprisoned after being exposed as an imposter of a member of the Russian royal family while travelling in Tuscany.  Although legend has it that she died in a flood in 1777, it is more likely that she was executed in 1775. This painting was completed in 1864.  Light shafts through the window of the Peter and Paul fortress as the water rises - it will eventually capture this troubled 22 year old woman - the tragedy is immediate and realistic.

The painting was completed in 1864.

John le Capelain - Landscapes from Jersey (Pt 4)

John de Capetain - Jersey Landscapes

Jersey Stamp issued 1987

In contrast to some works by de Captain, this painting depicts a sea at peace.  The waves gently lap at the shore of a large beach, possibly at sunset.  This painting is very similar to the work of Joseph Turner, with haze in the distance.  

Martiros Sarian - Old Yerevan

Martiros Sarian (1880-1972) - Old Yerevan

Russian 6k Stamp issued 1980

Armenian: Մարտիրոս Սարյան

Born in Armenia, Sarian went to be trained in Moscow School of Arts at the turn of the 20th Century.  Sarian was heavily influenced by Henry Matisse and Paul Gauguin, with this painting being completed in 1928.

This work depicts Yerevan, which is the capital city of Armenia.  The painter lived to an old age in this city and his former home has has apparently been turned into a museum with hundreds of his works.

John le Capelain - Landscapes from Jersey (Pt 3)

John le Capelain - Landscapes from Jersey

Jersey 31p Stamp issued 1987

We're seeing a regular pattern here, for this painter who lived in Jersey, which is part of the Channel Islands.  Once again, he shows a mastery for composing light in this landscape of a well developed harbour - perhaps this is not your typical landscape for a rural outpost in the sea.  I like the way light disperses from behind a dark cloud that is fully centred in this painting.  The sea appears rough, with an ability to overwhelm people in their small boats.  

Nikolai Nevrev - The Market

НИКОЛАЙ НЕВРЕВ. Торг. Сцена из крепостного быта. Из недавнего прошлого

Nikolai Nevrev (1830-1904) - The Market

Russian 6k Stamp Issued 1980

to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of his birth

This is the most famous painting from Nevrev, as it depicts a market where serfs were being sold as slaves.  The painting was completed in 1866, shortly after serfdom was abolished in Russia.  The painter was critical of the church in other parts of his work.  

This is one of a series of four art related stamps that were issued in Russia in 1980.

John le Capelain - Landscapes from Jersey (Pt 2)

John le Capetain - Landscape painter

Jersey 34p Stamp issued 1987

Le Capetain has depicted the landscape in an expansive and somewhat threatening manner in this painting, as the sea waves smash into the coastline - no peaceful coves or sandy beaches here.  The people in this painting  appear to be quite calm, but you feel as though they may be swept away by the overwheming strength of the waves - they would just disappear from the painting in a few seconds.  Again, it's really misty, but we still see enough of the landscape to be impressed by it.

This is the second in this series of five 1987 Jersey Christmas stamps that I've managed to collect.

Guy Grey-Smith - Skull Springs Country

Guy Grey-Smith (1916-1981) - Skull Springs Country

Australian 45c Stamp issued 1995

Painting Completed in 1965 - Held at the Art Gallery of Western Australia

Gery-Smith had a coloured and challenging life, as he was born in WA before heading off to WWII with the Royal Australian Air Force in France.  After being shot down from his plane, he was held as a POW in France, where he learned to paint with watercolours.  Art became his life subsequent to this and he eventually returned to Western Australia after establishing his career overseas.

Full biography is available: Guy Grey-Smith .


This is the last of the series of four stamps of Australian Modern Art that were issued in 1995 by Australia Post.