Caterina Cornaro (1454-1510), EUROPA Issue Famous Women, Republic of Cyprus

Caterina Cornaro (1454-1510), EUROPA Issue Famous Women, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

The life of Caterina Cornaro (1454-1510) renowned as the last Queen of Cyprus is the most interesting and fascinating of the 15th Century. Many books have been written about her life and times which attracted painters such as Titian and Gentile Bellini to draw her portraits and composers such as Gaetano Donizetti and Giovanni Pacini to write operas in her honor. The Bellini portrait considered to be the most authentic is in the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts, while the portrait on this stamp, considered to be a version of the Titian portrait is in a private collection in Nicosia. Caterina was the daughter of Mark Cornaro of the San Cassiano family who were very rich and powerful and owned vast lands, farms, etc. in Italy and Cyprus. Her mother was Donna Fiorenza, daughter of the Emperor of Trebisonda, Alessio Comneno, thus making her of Greek descent on her mother’s side. Although her marriage to the Lusignan King James was arranged more for reasons of convenience and state reasons Caterina came to love and admire James. Their marriage was solemnized in 1472 in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Famagusta. When the King died in July 1473 at Famagusta, Caterina was proclaimed Queen of Cyprus (1473-1489). In Nicosia, scenes of great enthusiasm followed and the citizens wanted her to return. As she could not do so immediately she ordered that 1,000 bushels of wheat be sent to Nicosia in appreciation of their loyalty. She was much loved by her citizens and when she returned in 1475 she was received with a tumultuous welcome at Famagusta Gate and the ringing of the bells of St. Sophia Cathedral.

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

8th April 1996

Designer: G. Simonis

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

Image

1996-EUROPA-30

35.160417, 33.346556

Oriental Press, Bahrain