The Postal Service will release this year’s first holiday stamps on Saturday, Sept. 14.
The first is the Christmas Madonna and Child stamp, which will feature an oil painting from the workshop of the 17th century Italian artist Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as “Sassoferrato” (1609-1685). The extent to which Sassoferrato had a hand in painting it is unknown, so the portrait is attributed to his workshop.
Born in the Marche region of central Italy, Sassoferrato achieved success by emulating the work of earlier Renaissance artists.
Modestly scaled depictions of the Madonna and Child were among the artist’s most popular paintings. He and his workshop produced many versions of this particular Madonna and Child; the version on the stamp is from the collection of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.
The artwork depicts a watchful Madonna, her head tilted toward the sleeping Christ child nestled against her.
William Gicker served as art director. Greg Breeding designed the stamp, which will be sold in booklets of 20.
The second release is Holiday Joy, which will feature four folk-art inspired images of colorful flowers and Christmas ornaments.
Antonio Alcalá worked with Michelle Muñoz to create the images of holiday décor, inspired by vintage ornaments and Mexican folk art.
The artwork depicts two colorful Christmas ornaments, a vibrant poinsettia surrounded by greenery, and a whimsical snowflake centered against green leaves and delicate scrollwork.
The stamps will be available in booklets of 20.
USPS will dedicate both releases at the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, and the stamps will be available at Post Offices and usps.com.