2825) "The Resurrection of Christ" ("CHRISTVS RESVRREXIT"), Vatican City State: Rectangular-shaped Silver Proof and Colour coins feature Renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci (also known as "Perugino") masterpiece, presently in the Apostolic Palace library: Date/Year of Coin issue: 04/2023:
The Header/Banner is titled - "CHRISTVS RESVRREXIT" (in Italian) and showcases the Reverse and Obverse of the rectangular-shaped €25 (25 Euros) Coin on the sides. The painting by the Renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci (c. 1446/1452–1523) - also known as "Perugino" - is in the centre.
Description of the painting by Perugino:
This exceptionally well-preserved painting and four others in the Art Institute of Chicago formed the base (predella) of an altarpiece - possibly the large Crucifixion in the Church of Sant'Agostino, Siena.
In 1502 a contract was signed with Perugino, who had been recommended as "the best painter in Italy."
An attractive feature of the present picture is the feigned frame lit from the left.
The work follows a typical scheme of Perugino's art.
The divinity (in this case the resurrected Jesus), is depicted within a mandorla occupying the upper part of the painting, among angels.
The lower part shows, above a landscape in the background, the open sarcophagus and several Roman soldiers, three of whom are sleeping and one awakened by the miracle, looks up in amazement at the wonder of the resurrection of Jesus.
The figure of Christ, holding the flag symbolic of the resurrection, has the typical harmony and softness of Perugino's mature works, with a detailed chest and a bright drapery with deep pleats.
It displays the "Risen Christ" ascending into heaven, enclosed in an almond-shaped golden light. In his left hand, he holds the banner symbolising the Resurrection while at his sides, two angels are praying.
The two angels at his sides are symmetrical and were obtained from the same "cartoon" used by the artist and his workshop also in other works, such as the Madonna in Glory with Saints at Bologna - (While the word cartoon usually refers to an animation or a funny drawing, in an art historical context it refers to a full-scale preparatory drawing for a fresco, oil painting or a tapestry. The word we use today comes from the Italian "cartone" - meaning a large sheet of paper or card).
The sarcophagus has its cover correctly painted according to geometrical perspective. The soldiers are also painted with attentions and details, such as the fanciful crest of the helmet, also present in the Collegio del Cambio frescoes.
A wide, sloping landscape provides a backdrop for the scene.
This particular oil on panel painting was commissioned in 1499 by Pietro Vannucci (c. 1446/1452–1523), known as “Perugino,” and whose death 500 years ago is marked this year, and completed circa 1501.
The work takes its name from the church of San Francesco al Prato of Perugia, where the painting was originally located.
Following the French Napoleonic invasion of Italy, it was brought to Paris.
In 1815, the work was returned to Italy, and since then, it has been exhibited at the Vatican Museums’ art gallery.
The painting is, in fact, kept in the Pope’s private library in the Apostolic Palace.
The Coin:
The Treasury of the Holy See has released this 2023-dated 25 Euro Colour Coin dedicated to Easter and features San Francesco al Prato’s "The Resurrection of Christ".
The Proof Silver and Colour Rectangular-shaped 25 Euro Coins have been minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano" (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the treasury department of the Vatican City State.
The Reverse of the 25 Euro Silver and Colour Rectangular-shaped Coin features a true-colour representation of Perugino’s "The Resurrection of Christ", arched at the top as the original painting was created.
Above and to the right edge of the design is the text "CITTA DEL VATICANO" ("The Vatican City State").
To the left, in a vertical direction, is the name of the artist "PERUGINO 1523–2023" and at the bottom is the denomination "EU 25 RO", along with the mintmark "R" denoting the Mint of Rome.
The Obverse of the 25 Euro Silver and Colour Rectangular-shaped Coin includes common elements of the papal crest of Pope Francis, which depicts the papal mitre and crossed keys.
To the left and above the crest is the legend "FRANCISCUS PP. ANNO XI" (“Francis Pope and Pontiff year 11”). The papal motto "MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO (“by having mercy, by choosing him”) is shown below the crest along with the year "MMXXIII".
To the right, in a vertical direction, is the commemorative text "CHRISTVS RESVRREXIT" (“Christ is Risen”), denoting the theme of the coin.
The specifications of this Coin are:
Country of issue/City State: Vatican City State; Coin Theme: "Perugino’s The Resurrection of Christ"; Date/Year: 04/2023; Denomination/Face Value: €25 (25 Euros); Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 35.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 30.00 mm x 40.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with Applied Colour; Mintage: 1,500 pieces; Mint: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS Italy); Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designed by: Cristina De Giorgi.
- Each coin is specially encapsulated to accommodate its rectangular shape and presented in a Vatican City State Mint-branded Custom Case and accompanied with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
7) Michelangelo's "Pieta", Vatican City: New Copper Coin Series titled "Art and Faithy": A 10 Euro Copper Coin minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of the "Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Cotta del Vaticano": Coin issue date: 05.03.2020
8) Ancient Postal Routes, Vatican City State: EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two stamps of 1.10 Euro and 1.15 Euro issued by the Ufficio filatelico e Numismatico -Governatorato, Vaticano featuring Ancient Postal Routes emanating from the Vatican City State during the 6th & 11th Centuries AD
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting and informative post. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
DeleteVinod Khurana has commented:
ReplyDelete"Nice information."
Thank you so much Vinodji.
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