The patron names the church
Every parish has a dedication, but in many churches it appears nowhere except a plate by the door. A mosaic of the patron changes that: it is immediately clear whose church this is, both to parishioners and to visitors. That is why the image of the patron usually goes over the entrance, into a niche in the elevation, or onto the wall by the font – where everyone entering will see it.
Who we have made
St Michael the Archangel in the scene of his victory over Satan, St Barbara with an invocation on a facade, St Christopher with the Child on a gold ground, St Cecilia at the organ, St John the Baptist. We also make other patrons to order – from St Joseph, St Florian and St Anthony to local and less usual figures, provided the parish supplies a model or a description of the iconography.
Attributes and invocation
A saint is recognised by attributes: Michael’s sword and scales, Barbara’s tower and chalice, the Child on Christopher’s shoulder, Cecilia’s organ. We keep to them, because they are what make the image readable without a caption. The invocation itself – “Święta Barbaro, módl się za nami”, or a text in Latin or Greek – is laid together with the image rather than applied separately, so it cannot come away or fade.
Where the model comes from
From three sources. First: a painting already in the church – the mosaic then takes over its composition and palette, and the parish gets a more durable version of what it knows. Second: the established iconography of that saint, in a Byzantine idiom or closer to painting. Third: an original design prepared from scratch and agreed before work starts. In all three cases a full-size drawing is made before any tessera is laid.
Where to put it and what it costs
Inside: by the entrance, on a side wall, by a side altar or above the font. Outside: in a niche, over the door, on a shrine. An exterior mosaic is frost-proof and UV-resistant, so a facade poses no limitation. 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 used. The estimate is free.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mosaic of a saint cost?
A mosaic costs from 4,000 to 15,000 PLN per m². The price depends on the size, the number of figures, the complexity of the ground and the materials. A single figure on a plain ground costs less than a scene with several figures. The estimate is free.
Will you make a patron that is not in the gallery?
Yes. The gallery shows part of our work, not a closed catalogue. We need a model or a description of the iconography – attributes, dress, scene – and we prepare and agree the design before starting.
Can you work from a painting already in the church?
Yes, and it is a common choice. Send a good photograph of the painting; the mosaic takes over its composition and palette, and the parish gets a version resistant to damp and light.
What size should we choose?
It depends on the place and the distance from which the image will be seen. A figure over the entrance reads differently from one by a side altar. Give us the dimensions of the site and we will propose proportions.
Can the invocation be laid in the mosaic?
Yes. An invocation in Polish, Latin or Greek is laid together with the image, usually in gold tesserae. It is part of the mosaic, not an applied element.
Do you install the image on site?
Yes. The mosaic is prepared in the workshop in sections, and transport and installation are ours – including on a facade, from scaffolding.