Gherman Alexeyvich Komlev (Russian, 1933 - 2000) "Columbus in Sight of Land" Signed and titled verso. Original Oil painting on Masonite.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting is the original which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 1c Columbus Sights Land stamp issued May 22, 1992.
At two in the morning on October 12, 1492, a sailor named Juan Rodr?guez Bermejo or Rodrigo de Triana sighted land from the deck of the Pinta, one of Christopher Columbus' three ships. It had been more than a month since the men had seen land as they bobbed west on an empty, lonely ocean. Naturally, the next morning the Spaniards were jubilant as they laid eyes upon a tropical paradise flushed with the golden light of dawn. According to legend, disbelievers among the crew were finally convinced that Columbus was divinely inspired and fell to their knees in front of him. This legend was the inspiration of a painting created by George William Henry Powell (1823-1879). In the center of Powell's painting stands a staunch, controlled Columbus among his elated and reverent men. It is believed that engravers crafted the 1-cent Columbus in Sight of Land stamp from Powell's work. Of the 16 commemorative stamps issued in 1893 for the Chicago Exposition, this stamp departs the farthest from the original painting, possibly due to the painting's obvious religious overtones and the U.S. Postal Service's desire to ensure separation of church and state. The original, once thought "lost," but it turned up in a private collection in New York City.
Image Size: 10.25 x 20.5 in.
Overall Size: 13.75 x 23.25 in.
Unframed.
(B13759)
Condition
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