Home
 The Annunciation by Donatello The Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence March 25th is listed on the Church calendar as the Feast of the Annunciation. For Vatican stamp collectors, it is easy to picture the image of the Archangel Gabriel announcing the message God sends Mary on this day. There are a number of Vatican stamps depicting the Annunciation. There is, however, another image that the Vatican Post Office has yet to use that would make a terrific stamp for this feast day. My stamp nomination can be found at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Italy. It is Donatello's sculpture The Annunciation, which is pictured at the top of this article. Here, Mary is portrayed as being in prayer, hesitant and somewhat alarmed by the angel. Donatello's sculpture shows an angel with wings, a portrayal that matches the magnificence of any of Fra Angelico's angels. Donatello makes this scene one of simplicity in form but complexity in subject. This sculpture would simply make an excellent stamp. Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi (c. 1386 – 13 December 1466), better known as Donatello, was a master sculptor of the Renaissance period. He spent very little time in Rome, but did some work at the Vatican. His time in Rome is best remembered for visiting ancient Roman sites with his friend Filippo Brunelleschi, studying works of classical antiquity. It is said that they spent so much time digging in the ruins that locals mistook them for treasure hunters. Brunelleschi would use his study of the Pantheon to aid in the construction of the Duomo in Florence, and Donatello would also focus is artistic endeavors outside Rome in Florence. Perhaps this is why the postal officials have yet to recognize his work. Despite his brilliance, none of his works have graced a stamp from Vatican City. Photographs are from the photo collection of Marvin Lanahan. |
