London 2012 Olympic Games - 2012 ISLE OF MAN

Icelandic Visual Arts II – The Pioneers - 2011 ICELAND

The pioneers of modern Icelandic art, painters Þórarinn B. Þorláksson (1867-1924), Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876-1958), Jóhannes Kjarval (1885-1972) and Jón Stefánsson (1881- 1962) were very different artistic personalities. Yet most of their early work can be seen as an extension of the romantic nationalism that characterized Icelandic cultural life. Þorláksson and Jónsson captured the characteristics of the Icelandic light and the stillness of the bright summer nights, Stefánsson came to grips with the barren and monumental aspect of the highlands and Kjarval infused the landscapes that he painted with a rich and turbulent inner life

The Saga of Burnt Niall - 2011 ICELAND

One thousand years have elapsed since the historic events recounted in „The Saga of Burnt Niall“ took place at Bergthorshvoll in the south of Iceland. The saga deals with the process of blood feuds in the Icelandic Free State where minor insults to one‘s honor could lead to destructive and prolonged bloodshed. In the saga 100 armed men attack the farm as a part of a cycle of killing and vengeance. Niall, widely esteemed as a lawyer and a sage, his wife Bergthora, their three sons and servants were all burned alive. Niall‘s son-in-law, Kári Sölmundarson, managed to escape undetected from the fire and take his revenge on the arsonists. In spite of extensive archeological research at Bergthorshvoll no signs have been found of the burning. Njáls saga is the longest and most highly developed of the sagas of Icelanders. It is often considered the peak of the saga tradition. The souvenir sheet depicts some of the events that took place at the burning.

Snæfellsnes National Park - 2011 ICELAND

The theme of the joint issue of 11 small nations in Europe (SEPAC) is landscape. The motif of the Icelandic stamps in this third and last issue is Snæfellsjökull (Snæfell Glacier) National Park. Former motifs for the Icelandic SEPAC stamps were Jökulsárgljúfur and Skaftafell. SEPAC stands for Small European Postal Administration Cooperation. This cooperation is primarily concerned with issuing postage stamps but also includes sales and marketing. Snæfellsjökull National Park was founded by a legislation on nature conservation in June 2001 and is the fourth national park in Iceland. The area is characterized by its extremely diverse geology. Formerly it was the site of hectic activity with up to 60 fishing boats and 300-400 seamen during the fishing season. Among the the books that have carried the name of Snæfellsjökull around the world is the novel by French author Jules Verne „Journey to the Centre of the World“.

Christmas - 2011 ICELAND

The motifs of the Christmas stamps 2011 are based on goldwork embroidery, a rich national heritage involving techniques used for Icelandic national costumes. Goldwork is the art of embroidery using silver and gold threads. Reference is also made to skattering, an old Icelandic method of embroidering, often used for colourful flower patterns. By her emphasis on this old handicraft the artist, Guðbjörg Ringsted who designed the Christmas stamp, wants to attract attention to this remarkable national tradition. Goldwork embroidery is an old form of embroidery used widely in the world. In Iceland, this technique has been used almost exclusively in making Icelandic costumes and in liturgical embroidery. It can be seen on different styles of costumes, on jacket panels, collars and on 19th and 20th century bodices. Belts were oftern adorned with goldwork embroidery. Although metal threads are usually used, some 19th century examples also use silk.