grouped together as a se-tenant block, the four stamps depict scenes from the Armadio degli Argenti, a remarkable work by Beato Angelico, also known as Fra’ Angelico, or Giovanni da Fiesole (born Guido di Pietro; Vicchio, c. 1395 – Rome, 18 February 1455). Painted in tempera on wood, they were created by the artist between 1450 and 1452 and are now preserved in the Museum of San Marco in Florence. They belong to a series of 35 panels, distributed over eight boards, created to decorate the doors of the Armadio degli Argenti, intended to house the ex-votos of the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata in Florence.

The complete cycle of panels depicts the Childhood, Public Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. Each subject is framed by a double scroll, where the corresponding biblical passage from the New Testament can be read at the bottom and that from the Old Testament at the top.

In particular, the four stamps in the series depict, in sequence: the Road to Calvary, Christ stripped naked, the Crucifixion, and the Lamentation. A distinctive feature of the panels depicted on the stamps is the uninterrupted landscape that forms the backdrop to the scenes, even though there are four different scenes.

In addition to the face value, each stamp features the words “SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA” and “POSTE MAGISTRALI”, the Order’s coat of arms, and the three-line caption “Beato Angelico,” “Armadio degli Argenti, particolare”, “Firenze, Museo di San Marco”.

The issue was produced in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of National Museums of Tuscany and the Museum of San Marco in Florence.

Credits: courtesy of the Ministry of Culture – Regional Directorate of National Museums of Tuscany – Museum of San Marco.