Plaque: The Fall of Phaethon


Plaque: The Fall of Phaethon
The postage stamp depicts the scene of Phaethon’s fall from a Renaissance ceiling painting in the Schwarzenberg Palace in Prague’s Hradčany district. According to ancient mythology, Zeus, the supreme god, struck Phaethon with a bolt of lightning to prevent the destruction of the world caused by his reckless driving of the sun chariot. The dynamic composition evokes the richness of Renaissance art as well as one of the most beautiful historic buildings in the heart of Prague.
New
€48.00
Categoryplakety
Catalog NumberPL12981
Release Date10/30/2024
DesignerOtakar Karlas
Engraver-
Weight120 g
The postage stamp features a detail from a Renaissance painting in the Schwarzenberg Palace, one of the most striking historic buildings in Prague’s Hradčany district. The palace, with its distinctive sgraffito façade, stands just a few steps from Prague Castle and is one of the Czech capital’s most significant landmarks.
The depicted motif is based on ancient mythology and evokes the wealth of stories that have inspired European art for centuries. The Renaissance painting stands out for its dynamism, attention to detail, and masterful execution, which visitors from around the world continue to admire to this day. The postage stamp captures the beauty of this exceptional work in the form of an impressive miniature and commemorates the unique connection between Prague’s history, architecture, and European cultural heritage.

