'Modern Ink-Wash Paintings' - Taiwan, 2017

Taiwan Modern Ink-Wash Paintings, full sheets and FDCs, posted on Sep 6th, 2017, from Taiwan to New York, USA, with first day postmarks. Thank you Qingqing for sending these amazing covers. The covers were posted from Shilin, a district of Taipei City, where the National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院) is located. The stamps on the covers feature the following works from renowned modern Chinese painters:

1. Gao Qifeng’s “Macaque” (NT$12)
2. Huang Chun-pi’s “A Secluded Scene of Remote Mountains” (NT$15)
3. Xu Beihong’s “Magpie” (NT$5)
4. Qi Baishi’s “Pumpkin Vines of Abundant Growth” (NT$25)
5. First Day Cover with day postmark
6. First Day Cover with special postmark and day postmark

Due to political reasons, Gao Qifeng and Huang Chun-pi are not as well-known as Xu Beihong and Qi Baishi in Mainland China. Among the two well-known, Qi Baishi is almost synonymous with modern Chinese art, especially his ink-wash paintings of everyday subjects such as shrimp, vegetables, flowers, and insects. Xu Beihong was most famous for his horse paintings, as he combines western techniques with traditional oriental philosophy. Works of them are highly sought after by collectors and often fetch astronomical prices at auctions. 

'Modern Art - Herbert Boeckl' - Austria, 2017

'Modern Art - Herbert Boeckl', posted on Jun 7th, 2017 from Klagenfurt, Austria to New York, USA with special and date postmarks. The additional stamp is from 2016 Young Artists in Austria - Martha Jungwrith. Thank you Mr. Shunyang. 

I have to admit I knew nothing about this artist. So that's what I understand off the internet: He was a prominent artists representing Austria Modernism. Critics were sharply polarized over his work, a love-or-late situation. His paintings have not yet achieved international acclaim as reflected from the lack of English translation under his name in Wikipedia.

Anyways, this is a well made FDC with all the thoughtful ingredients: neat handwriting, two first day postmarks, relevant stamp, e-sticker, and nice layout.

'Ukiyo-e Series 6' - Japan 2017

Japanese Ukiyo-e covers from Kobe, Tokyo, and Yokohama, Japan to New York, USA, posted on Sep 6th with special postmarks and day postmarks. Thank you Masako, Ye, Kouichi, Mitsuhiko, and Ban-No!

Ukiyo-e (浮世絵) is one of my favorite oriental art genre. Popular from 17th - 19th century, it often depicts female beauties, landscape, flora, fauna, and sometimes erotic themes. Compared with Chinese paintings, Ukiyo-e style is more explicit, decorative, and rich in color, thus much more attractive to western artists.

This sheet is the 6th (I hope it never ends) in a series of Ukiyo-e issued by Japan Post. It showcases female beauty paintings/wood block prints by various artists (菊川英山, 喜多川歌麿, 鳥文斎栄之) on one side, and landscape painting/wood block prints by (歌川広重) on the other. It is simply a beauty.

Note that on the last cover, the US Post Office just cannot help adding their personal touch to the otherwise perfect cover.

'Cozy Worthies Map' - China, 2016

'Cozy Worthies Map', issued by China, posted Apr 2nd, 2016, from People's Park in Shanghai, China, and Mt. Quaiji in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, to Shenayang.

The 'Cozy Worthies Map' is the official translation of the painting, aka painting of hermits. This is a rare painting from the Tang Dynasty by Su Wei, which measures 168.7 cm long and 45.2 cm and wide. It depicts four of the seven famous intellectuals (worthies) including Shan Tao, Wang Rong, Liu Ling and Ruan Ji from the Wei and Jin dynasties, a period known for its tolerance and respect of various schools of thoughts.

The first cover was sent from Mt. Quaiji, where the stories in the painting occurred. The second painting was sent from People's Park, where the Shanghai Museum, home to the painting, resides.

'Princely Treasures: Peter Fendi (1796-1842)' - Liechtenstein, 2017

'Princely Treasures: Peter Fendi (1796-1842)' - Liechtenstein, 2017, posted from Liechtenstein to U.S. on Jun 6, 2017, with special postmarks.

The stamp set consists of three paintings from Austrian artist Peter Fendi, including “Request for Admission” (value: CHF 0.85), “Sneaking a Peak” (value: CHF 1.00) and “A Child’s Prayer” (value: CHF 1.50). The paintings were completed during an era known as Biedermeier (1815 - 1848) when the middle class enjoyed prosperity and drew artists to depict common sensibilities.

Peter Fendi was a leading artist during the Biedermeier period. He was also an engraver and lithographer, who engraved a series of Austrian banknotes. The first time I saw his paintings, I thought his style was rococo. There are some resemblance, but the subjects are quite different.

It is interesting how Philatelie Liechtenstein make up the postage by writing the value on the cover. I think it is pretty nice. Also all the USPS sorting codes were sprayed on the top of the cover, which does not happen very often.

'Chinese Landscape Painting' - Macau, 2016

'Chinese Landscape Painting' - Macau, 2016, posted on Oct 9th, from Macau to Shenyang, China, with the special and first day postmarks. Thank you, Boss He!

The stamp set includes the following water and ink paintings

• Autumn of Danxia
• Verdant Shennongjia
• A night of rain at the mountain, cascades from the rocks
• Waterfalls against the cliffs
• Golden Autumn of Xiajiang 

In 2016, the Macau Post issued two sets of Chinese painting stamps, which was unusual since both of them share similar audience (me :), for example). The additional postage was paid by using e-stamps, which has become a hot collecting topic among Macau stamp collectors. The Macau Post issues a Zodiac e-stamp every year with limited quantities and they have been sold out quickly and older issues on covers are highly sought-after. 

'Traveler at Shanyin County' - Taiwan, 2016

'Traveler at Shanyin County' (山陰客窗圖), Taiwan, 2016, posted from Taiwan to Shenyang, China, on Oct 24th, with first day postmarks. All the covers were mailed from the National Museum of History where the original painting is housed. Thank you Shiqing! 

1 - Cover with a pair souvenir sheet: The Changyong Post issued a pair of uncut souvenir sheet with a relatively small quantity. This is an official FDC. 

2 - Cover with two fan painting issues in 2016. This cover includes the other fan painting and calligraphy souvenir sheet issued on Jan 13th of the same year.

3 - Cover with a single souvenir sheet. 

Lan Ying (藍瑛) was a master from the Zhe School of China, who was mostly famous for his paintings of landscape, flowers, and people figures. His paintings reflect one of the traditional philosophies in oriental artwork, that is, the harmony between people and nature. His brushwork is simple but exquisite, again a reflection of the admiration of nature and simplicity in life shared by many oriental intellectuals.