Mater Ecclesiae and the motto Totus Tuus
The photographs here show our Mater Ecclesiae: the Mother of God with the Child, beneath her a blue shield with a gold cross and the letter M – the coat of arms of John Paul II – and the inscription TOTUS TUUS laid in mosaic. It refers directly to the mosaic the Pope had placed on the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter’s Square. For a Polish parish it is a legible sign of that pontificate, needing no caption.
What we make on this theme
Marian compositions with the papal arms and motto, plaques commemorating a papal visit, the anniversary of the election or the canonisation, and mosaics for chapels and parish halls bearing his name. If the parish has a particular image or photograph it wants carried into mosaic, we work from it – preparing a full-size drawing and agreeing it before we start.
Arms and inscription laid in the mosaic
The shield, the cross, the letter M and the motto itself are made together with the image, from the same material – nothing is applied or painted. Letters are usually set in dark tesserae on a light ground, or in gold, depending on the distance from which the inscription has to be read. The whole keeps one texture and needs no restoration.
For facades and interiors
The work in the photograph is on a brick elevation, in a stone surround – an exterior mosaic is frost-proof and UV-resistant, so the colours hold. Indoors, such compositions usually go into a chapel, onto the wall by the entrance or into a parish hall. We mount on a rigid backing, without disturbing the masonry.
Price and how it runs
A mosaic costs from 4,000 to 15,000 PLN per m². The price depends on the complexity, the number of faces and figures and the materials. The commission covers measurement or photographs with dimensions, a design agreed with the parish, hand-made execution, transport and installation. The estimate is free.
Frequently asked questions
Do you make a portrait of John Paul II in mosaic?
Yes, from a photograph or painting you choose. Our gallery shows the Mater Ecclesiae with the papal arms and the motto Totus Tuus; a portrait is made to order once the model is agreed.
How much does such a mosaic cost?
From 4,000 to 15,000 PLN per m², depending on the complexity, the number of faces and figures and the materials. A portrait needs careful work on the face, which places it in the upper part of the range. The estimate is free.
Are the arms and the motto laid in mosaic?
Yes. The shield, the cross, the letter M and the inscription are made from the same material as the image – nothing is applied or painted on, so nothing can come away or fade.
Is mosaic suitable for an elevation?
Yes. The work in the photograph is outdoors, on a brick wall. We use frost-proof and UV-resistant materials and mortars intended for exterior use.
Can you make a plaque for an anniversary or jubilee?
Yes. We make plaques commemorating a papal visit, the anniversary of the election or the canonisation, with the date and text laid in mosaic.
How long does it take?
It depends on the size and the complexity. We give a date with the estimate, once we have dimensions and photographs of the site.