The 35th anniversary of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights

"On 10 December 1983 the United Nations marked the Thirty-Fifth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To commemorate this very special milestone in world history, the United Nations Postal Administration issued on 9 December one of the most unusual, most beautiful, most unique sets of stamps in its history. This stamp issue was created by Friedensreich Hundertwasser at the invitation of Seretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar. This occasion was the first time since its inception that the United Nations Postal Administration ever commisioned an artist to create a set of stamps for the United Nations.

For this occasion Hundertwasser created a stunning set of six paintings. Hundertwasser created a seventh painting in this series especially for the Federation for exclusive use on its first day covers and limited edition art print to accompany this very important stamp issue. Because this seventh painting, "La troisieme Peau" 852, was created to accompany the six United Nations stamps by Hundertwasser, Hundertwasser's painting for WFUNA is in the format of a stamp.

Hundertwasser was born in Vienna in 1982. His paintings have been exhibited in all corners of the world. Hundertwasser's extraordinary and imaginative gifts have made him a master among his contemporaries and his work of art are some of the most acclaimed and most sought after. His style is so unique as to be almost a school unto itself. He is a brilliantly colouristic painter, who employs often recognizable motifs in an overall semi-abstract format. His paintings have an expressionistic quality, filled with jewel-like details which are enhanced even further by adding metallics to the painted surface.

Hundertwasser's versatility is as great as his talent. He has designed coins in copper. gold and silver, which are incomparable works of art resembling ancient engravings. He has created postage stampsas original works of art for Cuba, the Republic of Austria, Senegal and Cape Verde and now, the United Nations.

INFORMATION ON THE THEME OF THE STAMP ISSUE: On 10 December 1948, the first world-wide instrument concerning the rights of man - the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - was proclaimed and adopted, without a dissenting vote, bt the General Assembly in Paris. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has, since its adoption 35 yars ago, had a powerful influence throughout the world, both internationally and nationally. Its provisions have been cited as the justification for actions taken by the United Nations and have inspiredinternational conventionsboth within and outside the United Nations. They have exercised a significant influence on national constitutions and on municipal legislation and, in several cases on court decisions."

"La Troisieme Peau" 852

Above is an abstract from the print documentation of above displayed print.

It is a print 8 1/2 by 11 inch offset-litho-print in six colours with metal embossing in silver on Ikonomatt Paper. Edition size was 1500 plus 100 for the Hundertwasser Archives. Print is authenticated by an embossed seal of the federation in teh lower right margin (barely visible on image)

Below an example of a First day cover, where this print was used.

Last updated: November-27, 2001 (by Hans Hilte)