LX399A. Christmas, 1970

Jusepe de Rivera(ca. 1591-1652) was born in Játiba, near Valencia (Spain), where he was probably trained by Francisco Ribalta (1565-1628). In 1612-1613, Rivera left for Italy, where he led the life of a half-beggar, constantly traveling throughout the country. During his travels to Parma, Padua and Rome, Rivera became acquainted with the works of Raphael, Correggio, Titian and Veronese. In 1616, he settled in Naples, then owned by Spain, and developed a style, which owed much to Caravaggio. In Naples, Ribera became a painter to the Spanish Viceroy and later to his successor, the Duke of Monterrey, who procured commissions from the Augustine monastery in Salamanca (Nativity, Pietà, The Virgin with Saints Anthony and Augustine. 1631-1635). He subsequently abandoned the dark and somber style, finding new ways of treating light and using brilliant colors.

This sheet/stamp depicts “The Adoration of the Shepherds”, 1650. Oil on canvas. Louvre, Paris, France.

Date of issue: 24 December 1970

Design: after a painting of Ribera

Engraving: Jean de Vos

Printing & editor: Rodan, Brussels

Size engraving: 33 x 43.5 mm.

Circulation: limited edition between 400 and 700*

* These etching where printed on a double folded mould-made paper sheet, on the inside the Christmas wishes were written or printed (see underneath an example). Some people kept the left side of this card, which made the “luxury sheet”; it goes without saying that the majority many were lost or damaged in the mail.

LX399A. Imperforated luxury sheet, blue. 100F

Etching on mould-made paper

There are no variations or curiosities known for none of the above shown material