BRISTOL - 13 December 2007 - 440 words
Stamp of approval
Bristol-based Catholic artist Geraldine Farrell writes in praise of Royal Mail's Christmas stamps, one of which features the painting 'The Madonna of Humility'.
I appreciate Royal Mail's issuing of a thematic series of pictorial stamps in keeping with the religious significance of the season.
Credit also must surely be given to Royal Mail for commissioning contemporary Italian illustrator (and Catholic) Marco Ventura to create a series of first and second class stamps representing angelic messengers who invite us to take part in the Christmas story.
Ventura, himself the son of a book illustrator grew up surrounded by sacred pictures of Madonnas and angels, was encouraged to use his artistic skills to hand colour his father's prints just as a medieval apprentice would do.
The Angels he portrays in the stamps draw on the style of the Renaissance masters and their use of incorporating serenity and harmony within the composition. As heavenly musicians playing lute, trumpet, flute and tambourine they enter into the celebration by joyfully heralding the birth of Christ in a snowy Italianate landscape. I was struck by the simple use of the Word and the Image conveying so powerfully the messages of Peace, and Goodwill, just looking at the stamps became an opportunity to reflect on how I may practice these messages in my own life, and how these two little words have the power to change the world too!
The second class stamp presents us with an interpretation of the Madonna and Child by the artist William Dyce, who was a member of the Brotherhood of the Pre-Raphaelites. He was an intensely sensitive draughtsman with neo-classical sharpness who depicted his version of Mary and the baby Jesus dressed in the eighteenth century style of the day, and placing them in a European landscape contemporised his approach to biblical history. This is a gentle painting that conveys a tranquil interwoveness between the Madonna and Child. When we look at these stamps I wonder if we realise that we are looking at miniature works of art?
The stamp that seems to draw me to meditate most on the meaning of Christmas is the first class stamp that presents a detail from the painting entitled The Madonna of Humility, painted by the Italian renaissance artist Lippo di Dalmasio (who was also given the title painter of Madonnas). He really captures for me the tenderness in the exchanging look of love between the Madonna and child. The poignancy of this moment in eternity is captured by the artist's use of a circular composition and gold leaf, layering the halos and the golden disc behind the Madonna's head which is scattered with stars representing the divine light of God bringing the viewers eye to rest at that divinely intimate moment. The painting drew it's inspiration from the book of revelations which presents the woman of the apocalypse and the second coming of Christ when ultimately good will triumph over evil, giving way to peace. This message of peace through good triumphing over evil is presented to us when we meditate on the meaning of Christ's birth, and with that I would like to thank Royal Mail for giving all of us the opportunity to send Peace and Goodwill at home and throughout the world this Christmas!
As Geraldine wrote the above article, Royal Mail is gearing up for its busiest time of the year, handling an anticipated over two billion letters and cards during the festive period.
Royal Mail predicts Monday 17 December to be its busiest day of the year. 123 million items are expected to enter the postal system that day compared to an average daily figure of 83 million.
The last recommended posting dates for UK mail are Thursday 20 December for first class and Monday 17 December for second class items. For special delivery items, the last recommended posting date is 22 December. For airmail items to Western Europe, the last recommended posting date is 13 December; for Eastern Europe, the USA, Canada and Japan it is 10 December; and the rest of the world is 7 December.
Julietta Edgar, Head of Special Stamps, Royal Mail <http://www.royalmail.com> , said, "Christmas is most certainly Royal Mail's busiest time of year, but luckily we have plenty of experience in dealing with the postbag upsurge.
"We recommend that customers post early and include postcodes to speed up the time it takes for cards and presents to reach loved ones. This year's special stamps are particularly beautiful and will adorn millions of the items we handle."
Source: Diocese of Clifton
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