1998-20, The Palace Museum and Louvre《故宫和卢浮宫》

The Palace Museum and Louvre
Scott No: 2895, 2896
Serial number: 1998-20
Values in set: 2
(2-1), Louvre Palace, 50 fen, 40*30mm
(2-2), Hall of Heavenly Peace in the Imperial Palace, 200 fen, 40*30mm
Date of issue: September 12, 1998
Size of stamp: 40*30mm
Perforation:
13 for Value 1
11*11.5 for Value 2
Sheet composition: 20
Printing process: gravure
Printing house: Beijing postage stamps printing works

The Palace Museum, also called “the Forbidden City”, was the imperial palace of China’s Ming and Qing dynasties. Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty decided to build the Forbidden City in 1406. The construction took 14 years to “build the celestial palace on the earth with all the power and materials of China.” The Hall of Supreme Harmony was one of the most important buildings as well as the highest building in the Forbidden City. The Hall of Supreme Harmony was the symbol of highest power of the emperor, it was here where the most important ceremonies were held, such as: new emperor’s ascending to the throne, his wedding, as well as important anniversaries and proclamations of important edicts and appointment of generals before going out to battle. The bronze lions have been guarding the gates of the hall day and night throughout the dynasties.

Louvre, located beside the Seine River in the downtown of Paris, is one of the most magnificent palaces in Europe. It is the world’s largest art gallery. In the early 13th century, French King Philip Augusta first built his castle here. Later on, the building had been expanded from time to time. The architectural complex was completed during the reign of Louis XIV. Starting from 1793, Louvre palace was open to the public as a national art gallery, which was divided into different sections according to different schools, styles and historical periods. The palace has collected more than 400,000 pieces of art treasure, which glamour together with the Louvre.

1998年特种邮票《故宫和卢浮宫》
国家邮政局定于1998年9月12日发行《故宫和卢浮宫》特种邮票1套2枚。（与法国联合发行）
（2-1）T 卢浮宫 50分 4009.9万枚
（2-2）T 故宫·太和殿 200分 3031.9万枚

版别：影写
志号名称：1998-20T
全套面值：2.50元
邮票规格：40×30毫米
齿孔度数：13度
整版枚数：20 枚
设计者：克劳德·安德烈奥托（法）
印制机构：北京邮票厂

故宫旧称紫禁城。是明清两代皇宫，中国现存最大最完整的古建筑群，1988年被联合国教科文组织列为“世界文化遗产”。

故宫占地72万平方米，屋宇9999间半，建筑面积15.5万平方米。为一长方形城池，四角矗立、风格绮丽的角楼，墙外有宽52米的护城河环绕，形成一个森严壁垒的城堡，建筑气势雄伟、豪华壮丽，是中国古代建筑艺术的精华。

故宫有四个大门，正门名为午门，俗称五凤楼，其平面为凹形，中有重楼，重檐为庑殿顶，两翼各有重檐楼阁四座，明廊相连，宏伟壮丽，午门后有五座精巧的汉白玉拱桥通往太和门，东门名东华门，西门名西华门，北门名神武门。

故宫宫殿的建筑布局有外朝、内廷之分，内廷与外朝的建筑气氛迥然不同。外朝以太和、中和、保和三大殿为中心，这些宫殿是沿着一条南北向中轴线排列，并向两旁展开，南北取直，左右对称。这条中轴线不仅贯穿在紫禁城内，而且南达永定门，北到鼓楼、钟楼，贯穿了整个城市，气魄宏伟，规划严整，极为壮观。建筑学家们认为故宫的设计与建筑，实在是一个无与伦比的杰作，它的平面布局，立体效果，以及形式上的雄伟、堂皇、庄严、和谐，都可以说是上罕见的，它标志着我们祖国悠久的文化传统，显示着五百多年前匠师们在建筑上的卓越成就。是封建皇帝行使权力、举行盛典的地方。内廷以乾清宫、交泰殿、坤宁宫为中心，是封建帝王与后妃居住之所。此外还有文华殿、武英殿、御花园等。

卢浮宫位于巴黎市中心的赛纳河北岸(右岸)，是巴黎的心脏,始建于1204年，历经700多年扩建重修达到今天的规模。占地约198公顷，长680米，分为新老两部分，老的建于路易十四时期，新的建于拿破仑时代。宫前的金字塔形玻璃入口，是华人建筑大师贝聿铭设计的。它的整体建筑呈“U”形，占地面积为24公顷，建筑物占地面积为4.8公顷，全长680米。是世界上最著名、最大的艺术宝库之一，是举世瞩目，艺术殿堂和万宝之宫。同时，卢浮宫也是法国历史上最悠久的王宫。王宫最初始建于12世纪初，从15至18世纪历经4次改建和扩建。中院的东立面是古典主义风格，最为人们推崇。法国总统密特朗请美国华裔建筑师贝聿铭设计金字塔形透明屋顶。藏品中有被誉为世界三宝的《维纳斯》雕像，《蒙娜丽莎》油画和《胜利女神》石雕,像更有大量希腊、罗马、埃及及东方的古董，还有法国、意大利的远古遗物。陈列面积5.5万平方米，藏品2.5万件。