An image everyone recognises
Devotion to Divine Mercy is widespread in Poland, and an image carrying the words “Jezu Ufam Tobie” reads at a glance – even from the far side of the church square. That is why it so often ends up on a facade, in a porch or in an adoration chapel. Mosaic works where a painted image will not last: outdoors, in full sun, and anywhere the image is meant to survive generations without restoration.
For a facade and for an interior
On an elevation we make the mosaic frost-proof, waterproof and UV-resistant: rain, snow and sun do it no harm, and the inscription is laid directly in the mosaic, usually in gold tesserae, so it cannot fade or fall off the way applied lettering does. Inside, the image usually goes into the sanctuary, onto a side altar or into a Divine Mercy chapel. The mosaic sits on a rigid backing and mounts without cutting into the masonry.
Two approaches to the image
We make both versions close to the familiar, classic image – with soft modelling of the face and clear rays – and more synthetic interpretations in the spirit of Byzantine mosaic, with a firmer outline and a denser background. Both are visible in the photographs here: they differ in drawing, in background colour and in the size of the tessera. The choice depends on the architecture of the church and on the distance from which the image will be seen.
Materials and technique
We work with Venetian glass, Italian smalti, gold tesserae, marble and natural stone – over 3000 shades. Two things are hardest in this image: the face, which has to keep its gentleness despite a hard material, and the rays, white and red, which must read from a distance without breaking into stripes close up. We lay them by hand, tessera by tessera, in opus tessellatum, working over a full-size drawing.
Price and how a commission 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 in the composition and the materials used. A commission has five stages: consultation and measurement, design, hand-made execution in the workshop with photographs as the work progresses, transport in protective crating, and installation, which we take care of. The estimate is free; a design and a visualisation in your interior are available on request, as a paid additional service.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Divine Mercy mosaic cost?
A mosaic costs from 4,000 to 15,000 PLN per m². The price depends on the size, the complexity, the number of faces and figures in the composition and the materials used. We prepare an estimate free of charge once we have the wall dimensions and a photograph of the site.
Will the mosaic survive outdoors?
Yes. A facade mosaic is frost-proof, waterproof and UV-resistant. The colours do not fade and the material needs no restoration, unlike a painted image, which outdoors requires regular conservation.
Can the inscription be in another language?
Yes. Most often we make “Jezu Ufam Tobie”, but the inscription can be laid in Latin, English or any other language. It is part of the mosaic, not an applied element.
Can you work from a specific image?
Yes. We work from an image chosen by the parish, a photograph of an existing painting, or a design of our own agreed before work starts.
What sizes are possible?
We size the image to the wall or niche and to the distance from which it will be seen. Tell us the available space and the mounting height and we will propose proportions.
Do you install the image in the church?
Yes. Transport and installation are ours. The mosaic is mounted on a rigid backing, so installation does not disturb the structure of the wall.