400th birthday of Peter Paul Rubens - Germany / German Democratic Republic 1977 - 15 Pfennig

Gemäldegalerie Dresden - Peter Paul Rubens On the occasion of the 400th birthday of the famous Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of the German Democratic Republic publishes six multi-colored special postage stamps with pictures of paintings from the Gemäldegalerie Dresden. Each value also carries the text "Gemädegalerie Dresden - Peter Paul Rubens 1577 - 1640". Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) Rubens is one of the most important representatives of Flemish Baroque painting. He was one of the most prolific artists we know. His art, full of joie de vivre, strength and festivity, was an excellent way of expressing a glamorous lifestyle in the age of absolutism. The artist maintained an extensive workshop operation in Antwerp. He was very versatile and has shown equal mastery in fields as diverse as portrait, landscape and animal image, mythological and religious depictions. The Dresden gallery owns a significant collection of his works. 15 Pfennig value: Mercury and Argus. 1638. Oil on oak wood, 63 x 87.5 cm. Gall 962 C One of the lovers of Zeus was the Argive princess Jo, who was turned into a white cow by Zeus' wife Hera out of jealousy. Zeus, however, sent the cunning messenger of the gods Mercury, who, with his flute playing, put the watchman to sleep, then killed him and freed Jo. Rubens has chosen the dramatic climax of the story: Argus is asleep, and Mercury draws his sword, while the animal looks on as humanly gifted.