Russia – Scott #s 5560-64

Description

Soviet Union (USSR) • 1987 • State Hermitage Museum Masterpieces • 4k–50k • Complete Set of 5

Issued in 1987, this five-stamp Soviet set highlights masterpieces from the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad, presenting a curated selection of European fine art spanning the Renaissance to the Baroque period. The designs reproduce celebrated works by artists including Lucas Cranach the Elder, Titian, Albrecht Dürer, and Peter Paul Rubens, alongside a broader museum scene, underscoring the Hermitage’s stature as one of the world’s great art institutions.

Each stamp frames its artwork with a consistent presentation style, allowing the paintings and drawings to remain the focal point while maintaining visual cohesion across the set. Rich, warm tones and careful reproduction emphasize texture, composition, and historical depth, reflecting the USSR’s long-standing tradition of museum-themed philatelic issues.

All five stamps are offered in Mint Never Hinged (MNH) condition, with clean original gum, sharp perforations, strong color fidelity, and excellent overall presentation throughout the set. A refined group for collectors of art on stamps, museum issues, or European cultural history.