Our Lady in the Vatican Basilica
Scott 1204-1213 (2002)
On March 12, 2002, Vatican City issued a 10-stamp set entitled Our Lady in the Vatican Basilica. This was a definitive mail series and was the first Vatican definitive set issued following the conversion of the currency to euros. The stamps illustrated represent a small sampling of the numerous pieces of art which venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Vatican Basilica. The artwork represented is meant to
"Pay a tribute of affection to the Mother of God in a selection of images of particular religious, artistic and historical importance".
The stamps shown above are displayed in numerical order and correspond to the descriptions below:
Our Lady of women in labor (Scott 1204)—fresco formerly venerated in the first Constantine Basilica in the 14th century.
Our Lady with people praying (Scott 1205)—very ancient mosaic image of the Virgin Mary with the Son in her lap.
Our Lady at the tomb of Pius XII (Scott 1206)—this fresco, probably the work of the Umbrian School of the 15th century, shows the Child holding a spherical object.
Our Lady of the fever (Scott 1207)—an anonymous 13th century work set within a precious Renaissance tabernacle made by Donatello.
Our Lady of the slap (Scott 1208)—work depicts an episode when a man is claimed to have violently slapped Mary’s face, leaving a mark on her right cheek.
Mary Immaculate (Scott 1209)—a mosaic in the Chapel of the Choir in which Mary is balanced high in the sky, sustained on clouds. The infernal serpent is coiled within the clouds, and Mary, firmly and serenely, crushes its head.
Our Lady of Help of Christians (Scott 1210)—in this work, Mary looks straight at those who come to see, admire and pray to her, with the Christ Child giving His Blessing while supporting the world with His left hand.
The Virgin of the Deesis (Scott 1211)—found on the interior of Michelangelo’s dome, the Virgin is on the right of Christ, seated in majesty. John the Baptist is on the left. Only a portion of this work is depicted on the stamp.
L’Addolorata (Scott 1212)—this 14th century painting, attributed to Lippo Memmi, shows the Virgin alone, with a look of sorrow, but with a imploring attitude of prayer for mankind.
Presentation of Mary at the Temple (Scott 1213)—a great artistic mosaic showing Mary as a child, climbing the steps of the Temple to be consecrated by God.
REFERENCES:
Thomas Crimando, Vatican Notes, Volume 50, Number 6, May 2002, pp. 5-6, New Issues
Vatican Philatelic Society website, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search
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