Wednesday 7 June 2017

Faroe Islands 1981 - Tórshavn

Since the 13th century, the town of Tórshavn has been the capital of the Faroe Islands and an important port. It is located at the southern tip of Streymoy, which incidentally happens to be the largest of the Faroe Islands. Even today some narrow alleys and old houses that date back to the 14th century still exist in the town. And if you like mysteries there are some ancient ck carvings down by the shore. Some believe these markings are related to ancient council meetings, but perhaps they relate to something far more mysterious. Whatever, the case, it is fun to speculate.

***

On 2 March 1981 Faroe Islands issued a set of four stamps featuring sketches of various locales in Tórshavn by Ingálvur av Reyni. This charming set of stamps was engraved by Czeslaw Slania. Ingálvur av Reyni, born 18 December 1920 in Tórshavn, was a talented painter who was inspired by the works of Paul Cézanne and Henri Matisse. Reyni was also an excellent draughtsman, a skill reflected in his favoured subject choices, such as houses, boats, streets, and people going about their daily lives on said streets. This theme is the focus of the stamps dedicated to Reyni. Slania has managed to retain the drama and elegance of Reyni's sketches with masterful precision - as usual!






Until next time...


No comments:

Post a Comment