On September 29, 1993, Vatican City issued two new stamps as part its 1993 Europa series, which it devoted to contemporary art. The illustrations feature two paintings from the Vatican's collection of Modern Religious Art: the "Crucifixion" by Felice Casorati (depicted on the 700-lire stamp) and "Rouen Cathedral" by Maurice Utrillo (depicted on the 850-lire stamp).
These were the first Vatican Europa stamps issued since 1969. The stamps are vertical in format, measure 40 x 52 mm, and have a perforation of 13. The Imprimerie des Timbres-poste et das Valeurs Fiduciaires (France) printed 600,000 complete series. The firm printed the stamps, which were issued in sheets of twenty, in multicolor rotogravure on white chalky paper.
On the right side of each stamp appear the inscription EUROPA, the name of the artist of the painting depicted, and the words MUSEI VATICANI. At the bottom appear the Papal Tiara and Crossed Keys, the words CITTA DEL VATICANO, and the value.
Crimando, Thomas I. "New Issues." Vatican Notes 42, no. 3 (November 1993): 11.
