Alfons Mucha’s decorative style defined the beauty of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and changed the face of art forever. Mucha’s unmistakable style – ethereally beautiful women with flowing hair, surrounded by intricate floral motifs – transcended the borders of Europe and became a major source of inspiration for Asian artists. In doing so, he laid the visual foundations for the modern Japanese manga style, particularly in its romantic form, where we still admire Mucha’s delicacy and attention to detail to this day. This sheet of stamps is dedicated to Mucha’s most famous series of all, ‘The Four Seasons’, in which the Czech master brilliantly personified spring, summer, autumn and winter. Moreover, the motif of nature’s ceaseless cycle, inner peace and delicate aesthetics resonates deeply with Eastern philosophy. Summer, with red poppies on her head evoking the scent of a sweltering summer, sits on the riverbank, dipping her feet in the cool water. Spring is a delicate blonde playing a lyre made from a branch and her own hair. Autumn, with her hair adorned with a wreath of chrysanthemums, celebrates the year’s harvest against a backdrop of a rich tapestry of autumnal trees. Winter is a more mature woman wrapped in a robe, warming a little bird stiffened by the cold. Why choose this particular print:

• A work by a brilliant Czech-born artist, whose legacy is revered in Asia and whose aesthetic directly shaped illustration in that region.
• The harmony of nature and Eastern philosophy: This iconic depiction of the seasons brings a sense of calm, balance and positive energy to your collection or home.
• A luxurious artefact: a premium, visually stunning piece of history that serves as a fascinating bridge between European and Asian art.