Princely Treasures: Sculptures of Antico, Herkules with a Lion's Skin - Series: Princely Treasures - Liechtenstein 2019 - 170 Rappen

With bronze sculptures from the collections of the Prince of Liechtenstein, Philately Liechtenstein is continuing its popular multi-part series "Princely Treasures". The three objects by Italian sculptor Pier Jacopo Alari-Bonacolsi (c. 1455 to 1528) each fit on a miniature sheet of nine stamps. The artist, known by his nickname Antico, saw his life's work as being the revival and preservation of the sculptural art of antiquity. He recreated the compositions of famous classical statues in numerous exceptionally detailed works. The "Bust of a Young Man" (face value: CHF 1.40) is a bronze figure about 56 centimetres high, which Antico created in around 1520, two distinct characteristics of which are the oil gilding and the silver inlay for the white of the young man's eyes. "Hercules with a Lion’s Skin" (face value: CHF 1.70) was created in around 1500 and represents the Greek hero known for his strength in a partially gilded, approx. 35 centimetre high statuette. Only slightly larger is the "Equestrian Statue of Marc Aurel" (face value: CHF 2.20), the fire-gilded parts of which highlight the rider’s hair and coat.