A R T S T A M P . D K

Albert Mertz's Stamps Released by Artstamp.dk in Collaboration with His Daughter, Susanne Mertz

In 2010, Artstamp.dk had the pleasure of releasing eight stamps featuring the works of renowned Danish artist Albert Mertz (1920-1990). The stamps, created in collaboration with Mertz’s daughter Susanne Mertz, were the result of many years of anticipation. They were released in two series: one featuring Danish flags and another with the colors green, blue, and red – motifs that are characteristic of Mertz’s artistic vision.

The creation of these stamps began in 1984 when Post Danmark invited Mertz to design an official stamp. The project was supervised by artistic consultant Dan Sterup Hansen, who extended the invitation to Mertz. However, Mertz’s chosen design – a small house with a Danish flag – was rejected by the Transport Minister at the time, Arne Melchior. Despite an attempt to have the design reconsidered in the 1990s, the stamps were never realized. It was only in 2010 that Artstamp.dk had the opportunity to bring these sketches to life and make them available to the public.

Albert Mertz’s artistic journey began early, debuting as an exhibitor at the age of 14 in 1934. He entered the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1935, where he later became a professor of painting from 1979 to 1990. Throughout his life, Mertz was recognized not only for his work as a visual artist but also for his critical endeavors and experimental films. In 1947, he co-founded the art group Linien II, and he exhibited at prominent Danish venues such as Grønningen and Den Frie. He was also posthumously featured as Denmark's representative at the 21st São Paulo Biennale in Brazil in 1991. Mertz’s works are held in major Danish art museums as well as international collections, such as Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Nasjonalgalleriet in Oslo, and the Daimler Art Collection in Germany. He received both the Eckersberg Medal (1964) and the Thorvaldsen Medal (1988).

Mertz also gained significant recognition from Stalke Gallery, which first presented him in a major project alongside American conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner shortly before his death. The gallery continued to exhibit Mertz’s works over the years, holding four major solo exhibitions, thereby helping to solidify his position as one of Denmark’s most important artists.

Upon his death on December 30, 1990, Mertz left behind an extensive artistic legacy, including gouaches, montages, collages, paintings, and a significant collection of sketches, writings, and notes. This vast body of work was later explored through the Albert Mertz Catalogue Raisonné, an art historical research project led by art historian Christian Hald Foghmar, supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and housed at Sorø Kunstmuseum. It was a profound experience for Artstamp.dk to discover this extraordinary work, particularly the connection between Mertz’s art and his theoretical reflections. These discoveries provided incredible insight into the mind of one of Denmark’s great artists.

Mertz's work was prolific, and his artistic journey began early. He was admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts at the age of 16, and throughout his life, he constantly challenged the boundaries of art. He believed that art was not confined to any particular form but was defined by the effect it had on the viewer. This philosophy led him to experiment with a wide range of media, from film to video and TV. Mertz's approach to art was always evolving, and his generosity as an artist extended beyond his creations, contributing both qualitatively and quantitatively to contemporary art.

These stamps, released in 2010, represented just a small part of Mertz’s remarkable legacy. Artstamp.dk was proud to share these works with the public and offer a rare opportunity to engage with the visual language of one of Denmark’s most important and influential artists.

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