Isabella and Columbus
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| First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois The relationship between Queen Isabella of Spain and Christopher Columbus of Italy, Portugal and points between was a study in contrasts. Isabella -- properly Isabella the Catholic -- was an heiress of Castile, born to John II and all of the benefits of royalty. Columbus was born in Genoa to an Italian weaver and would struggle through his early years to make a name for himself. When Isabella and Columbus finally met, the history of the world changed forever. Thus, portraits of the two were chosen for the $4 Isabella and Columbus commemorative stamp, issued in 1893. The portrait of Isabella, titled Isabelle of Castille, is an enigma, its location and artist remain unknown. Some feel that it could have been painted by Antonio Munoz Degrain, but this has not been confirmed. The Columbus portrait, however, was painted by Lorenzo Lotto (1480-1556), an Italian artist and although completed in 1512, six years after the death of Columbus, many feel that it is the most authentic portrait of the admiral |
