This exquisite piece, Sanctus Dei Genitrix (or Holy Mother), is one of the Loreto Embroideries, a series of breathtaking embroideries from the early 1900s.

We have turned this image into 4x6 holy post-cards with a semi-glass matte finish. Use as a small gift, send a message to a friend, or put on a bookshelf as a small decoration. Lovely and completely unique.

Of the whole Loreto embroidery series, this is perhaps our favorite, though they are all beautiful. The original drawings, based on the Litany of Loreto, are likely to be the work of Ezio Anichini, an Italian artist who did much Catholic art. It is not known who did the stitching. The embroideries were a gift to an elderly nun, who sent them to the SHCJ Mayfield Convent in Surrey, England, for safekeeping during World War II. They are now held by the Royal School of Needlework in London, regarded as masterpieces of beauty, design, and execution.

Original worked mostly in long and short stitch on a rich cream satin background in shades of beige, fawn, and brown silks, as well as white, warmed and enriched with gold threads.

(Source: CorneliaConnellyLibrary.org)

There was some staining and discoloration on this long out-of-copyright image. We spent time restoring it to its original beauty. Overall, there are tens of thousands of good Catholic images out there, but we work to bring you just the few we love, and to make them as perfect as we can. We want to curate a collection that brings you joy. St. Pope John Paul II said, “In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art.”

Image Restoration © www.CatholicArtAndJewelry.com

You might also be interested in original Catholic art and jewelry by me, Sue Kouma Johnson, available all over this shop! Thanks!