Three Cobra art movement stamps

Queen Beatrix turned 50 in 1988. To celebrate this in the mail, a series of stamps was developed around the theme of modern art (designer Jan Bons). Central to the series are paintings by the internationally renowned Cobra art movement from Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam, which the Queen loves. In the same year, the Cobra art movement celebrated its 40th anniversary. Informative analytical background information per stamp By enlarging the square Cobra paintings in combination with detailed information on each stamp, there is a chance that the stamp could become more appealing and eye-opening. View of duality With the necessary imagination and effort, two playing cats can be recognized in this painting 'Cobra Cat' [oil, 1950] by Cobra painter Karel Appel (1921 – 2006). However, the title of the painting states that only one cat is depicted: 1) In the foreground stands a cat looking upwards (like a pig might do). But the cat might also be looking forward (both ears are visible from behind, as it were). 2) In the background, a cat is visible from behind with its tail held high. However, it also seems as though the animal intends to crawl under the first cat. Its head appears to be visible within the first cat, with eyes on the left and right and a snout with whiskers. 3) Of both cats, only five yellow paws with brown claws are visible. 4) Appel's characteristic painting style: the paintings feature bright, colorful brushstrokes, powerful lines with a childlike appearance of reasonably recognizable images. Contour lines are sometimes applied directly from the tube. 5) This painting is known by the name of Cobra Cat, while it is also described as 'Cat in the Night'. Quite a challenge for your imagination The term used in the painting 'Le cerf-volant' by Corneille (1922 – 2006, whose real name is Cornelis Guillaume van Beverloo) literally translates to kite or flying deer. Both words have a symbolic meaning: * kite (and flying) possibly refers to freedom of expression (expressing oneself with paint on a canvas). In other words, when painting, as a painter you can create a work of art unbound and without the rules of earlier painting styles and artistic conventions. Corneille was inspired by the spontaneity of children's drawings. With free expression, therefore, anything is possible and permitted with imagination. * flying deer refers to an animal from Greek mythology that frequently plays a role in art as an animal with wings, antlers, and the shadow of a human. The only discernible 'animal-like' aspect of the mythical creature might be the two legs at the bottom of the abstract image. Whether the blue-colored part refers to wings and/or antlers is difficult to determine, as is the recognizable presence of a human shadow. In the circular curve (approximately in the center of the animal), a pair of eyes might well have been placed belonging to...? Only with a great deal of imagination and effort might a mythical flying object be discerned in a red space. In other words, plenty of freedom, but recognizability is lacking. Outdated fatalistic view of the time The painting 'Fallen Horse' [oil, 1950] by the Cobra painter Constant Nieuwenhuijs (1920–2005), known by his first name, symbolizes the loss of humanity and the disappearance of the original hopes and ideals of the post-World War II era. In the technological society, modern technology is degeneration in a destructive direction. The machine overpowers man instead of bringing him progress. The somberly colored painting 'Fallen Horse' (oil, 1950), with its broken forms, symbolizes fear and the loss of hope. Technology is destroying humanity. The fear-radiating horse's head thoroughly underscores Constant's vision. Through the current revolution of Artificial Intelligence, we are entering the unknown and the incomprehensible, just as Constant personally experienced and predicted at the time. And finally Below each stamp is a tab of the same size as the stamp. This features not only the painter's signature, but also an image of the Cobra logo created for each artist. The word 'Cobra', positioned vertically on the three stamps, is remarkable. The spelling of the word differs from that of the country name on each stamp. Indeed, freedom at its finest, even reflected in the typography. As soon as inconspicuous details are given words, there is a chance that they will also be seen and appreciated.