2011Historical Heritage - First Day Cover

The church of Sv. Mihailo (St. Michael) in Ston was the endowment of Mihailo Vojislavljević, the king of Doclea. On its lateral walls, arch and apse there are still preserved parts of frescoes from the XI century. Iconographic features of the preserved parts of these paintings are the subject of scientific debate. The founder’s composition, which is the best-preserved painting from this period, shows the king-founder offering the church to Christ. Scientist believe that a mediator between the founder and Christ was St. Michael, a titular of the church. The founder is dressed in ceremonial vestments, wearing a western style crown. Its artist is unknown, but it is supposed that he belonged to the Benedictine Order. Features of the painting are the particularly expressed drawing, graphic quality and adjusted colour balance. The Post of Montenegro, in its "Historical Legacy" edition, publishes an apposite postage stamp "Fresco of King Mihailo". Author of the preliminary design is Zoran Popović, a graphic designer from Podgorica.