back 1996/110  
Postage Stamp Day
Martin Benka
Catalogue Number:  110
Stamp and Tab Design:  Martin Činovský
Stamp Motif:  Martin Benka - "Self-portrait" (1953, pencil drawing) and postage-stamp design (1938, charcoal drawing)
Stamp Engraving:  Rudolf Cigánik
Date of Issue:  December 18, 1996
Tab Motif:  Martin Benka - "Woman Reading"
(study for a postage stamp, c.1938, pencil drawing)
Tab Engraving:  František Horniak
Printing:  Postal Stationery Printing House, Prague
Print Technology:  Rotary-recess printing combined with recess printing
Print Run:  2,175,000
FDC Design:  Martin Benka: Roads To Peace (design for a postage stamp, 1938, pencil, charcoal drawing)
FDC Engraving:  Martin Činovský
Cancellation Design:  Martin Činovský after Martin Benka's work of art
FDC Printing:  Postal Stationery Printing House, Prague, Czech Republic
FDC Print Technology:  Recess printing from flat plates
FDC Print Run:  10,000

The painter and illustrator, National Artist Martin Benka (1888-1971) was one of the most important figures in the founding generation of modern Slovak art, a generation which presented the life and myth of the native land. Benka's work emphasised the link with traditions and folk culture. He possessed a distinct style and succeeded in creating an oeuvre that was essentially Slovak - an epic celebrating his native land, its nature and its people. His mode of expression was unique, with emphasis being placed on decoration drawn from the folk art, customs and music that were the source of his inspiration and exploration. He was one of the first artists to draw recognition for Slovak art abroad. Alongside his substantial achievement in painting, Benka also undertook work of an applied character. Between 1936 and 1940 he devoted much effort to designing for postage stamps, dominant motifs being the people and their environment, the birth of the "Slovak State", M.R.Štefánik and anniversaries of the foundation of the Czechoslovak Republic.


FDC
Content 1993-2000
Year 1996
Copyright ©2000 askom