This philatelic sheet brings to life the beauty of Renaissance art, which still adorns the ceilings of the Schwarzenberg Palace to this day. This striking palace, with its distinctive black-and-white façade, stands right on Hradčanské náměstí, just a few steps from the main entrance to Prague Castle, and thus forms one of the most significant historical backdrops of the Czech capital. The sheet’s complete design masterfully recounts the famous ancient Greek myth of Phaethon. Whilst the background depicts the young man trying in vain to control the sun chariot drawn by fiery horses, the pair of postage stamps illustrates the dramatic climax of the entire story. The first design depicts Phaethon’s inevitable fall after Zeus, the supreme god, struck him down from the sky with a thunderbolt to save the Earth from being scorched. The second design then shows his grieving sisters and mother. Classical European mythology adds yet another fascinating dimension to this work – according to ancient legends, the tears of these grieving women were transformed into precious amber. Why choose this sheet: A gem from Hradčany: The perfect memento of a visit to the iconic palace situated right next to Prague Castle. A legacy of ancient Greece: A visually captivating interpretation of a classic European legend full of drama and emotion. The Story of Amber’s Birth: An elegant fusion of historical Renaissance painting with the myth of the gemstone’s origin, which is deeply intertwined with European history.