Christmas Angel Gabriel inchThe Annunciationinch by Jan Van Eyck -Scott 1363- Block of 4 x 6¢ US Postage Stamps

This is a block of 4 stamps as pictured. ~ On November 1, 1968 in Washington DC., the USPS released the seventh Christmas issue displaying a portion of the painting by Jan van Eyck, titled "The Annunciation." Gabriel is clothed more like a 15th century priest than a traditional angel, with red robes and gold brocade suggesting wealth and power, but not necessarily divinity. Although angel Gabriel does not have a Halo on her head, Van Eyck uses a crown. This crown symbolizes that she is sent from God and is a Holy figure. Jan van Eyck, a Flemish painter, often signed his paintings, "Done as well as I can.