Tribute to designer Ladislav Sutnar on a postage stamp

The author of the graphic design of the issue, Kamil Knotek, chose for the stamp a painting from the Venus series, depicting a portrait of a girl in a cowboy hat. The subject of the FDC (below) is bold – a painting from the Strip Street series featuring a stripper with exposed breasts.

Ladislav Sutnar (1897–1976) was a visionary Czech graphic designer and a trailblazer in the world of design. Born in Plzeň, Czechoslovakia, Sutnar’s influence on the field of graphic design is profound, with a career spanning several decades and leaving an indelible mark on modern design principles.

Sutnar’s early career saw him studying at the Prague School of Decorative Arts before moving to the United States in 1939, escaping the impending threat of World War II. He quickly established himself in New York City and became a prominent figure in the American design scene.

One of Sutnar’s notable contributions was his pioneering work in information design and the development of the “Informational Environment.” He believed in the power of visual communication to convey complex information clearly and effectively. His innovative approach to designing information graphics laid the foundation for contemporary information design practices.

Throughout his career, Sutnar collaborated with various companies, creating iconic corporate identities, packaging, and promotional materials. His work extended to diverse fields, including book design, exhibition design, and product design. Sutnar’s influence can be seen in his contributions to the development of the International Style, a design movement that emphasized simplicity, clarity, and functionality.

The stamp was printed in full-colour offset and the printing sheets carry 4 stamps in a total edition of 48,000. FDCs were digitally printed for a total of 2,300.

JJ using Czech Post printing materials, photo: Czech Post

• art
• stamps

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