Poland: Veit Stoss carvings

 

Veit Stoss was a German-born sculptor living in Krakow, Poland in a period spanning the Gothic and Northern Renaissance eras. Some of his most important work is found at St Mary's Basilica in that city. The altarpiece is the largest in the world and was created between 1477 and 1489. Poland commemorated this masterpiece with a set of six stamps (Scott #925-930) plus a miniature sheet (#931) in 1960. The six stamps show details from the altarpiece; the sheet-stamp shows the central panel. The altarpiece is about 13 meters tall and 11 wide. There are 3 panels on each side of the triptych design, and a larger central panel. Each is painted wood. On the center panel in the middle left is an angel playing a portatif organ. The angel is shown with robes of gold and green, and wings of gold. The stamp is essentially in black, but the angel and the organ are still visible.