Friday, October 11, 2013

stamps: virgin and child

Image from: beyondtheperf.com

The Virgin and Child Christmas stamp is the newest stamp issued by the USPS today.

Five centuries ago, Jan Gossaert helped bring the genius of the Italian Renaissance to northern Europe. Today, his devotional paintings still vividly evoke the traditions of Christmas.

The new Christmas stamp features Gossaert's 1531 painting Virgin and Child. Draped in purple and blue, the Virgin Mary supports her own head by leaning on one of her hands. In her other hand, a curly-haired infant Jesus draped in white holds a bunch of red currants.

Gossaert's painting is currently in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Richard Sheaff was the art director and designer for this stamp. The Virgin and Child stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp.

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