Art as a reflection of faith

As he thought about his assignment for a new Hanukkah stamp, art director Antonio Alcalá was intrigued by the idea of the relationship between faith and light. In particular, he focused on the tradition of lighting the menorah, a central ritual of the annual celebration. 

Traditionally the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum, is placed at the entrance of a family’s home or in a window. Alcalá wanted the design to feel more human and less mechanical, so he moved from rendering the menorah on the computer to creating it by hand with pen and ink. 

He eventually produced a version that, while simple, accurately represents the menorah and retains a handmade look. 


Also called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah spans eight days and nights, and is celebrated by Jewish people around the world.


“I like how the design does not show the candles,” says Alcalá. “It implies them by the position of the menorah and the flames. To me, this unseen aspect of the art speaks to the quality of faith.”

- Antonio Alcalá, art director and stamp designer