"Madonna and Child" Loreto Embroideries This exquisite piece is one of the Loreto Embroideries, a series of breathtaking embroideries from the early 1900s. This is perhaps our favorite of the collection, 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 work. It is not known who did the stitching. They 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. (Source: CorneliaConnellyLibrary.org) 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. We spent a lot of time restoring this image, removing the flaws from the photograph and lightening it a bit to bring out the richness and contrast of the colors and the precision of the needlework. This image looks fantastic in a light oak frame with a cream matte. Standard size. Easy to find a ready-made frame at your local Hobby Lobby or online. If you're sending this as a gift and would like us to frame it for you, please convo and we'll make special arrangements for you. ? 8.5 x 11" acid-free paper ? Archival pigments (rated to last for generations without fading if kept out of the sun) ? Cardboard backer ? Story of the card ? Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag. ** IMPORTANT ** There is about an inch-and-a-third of white space around the picture, so the image is smaller than the paper. Thanks for your interest! You might also enjoy original Catholic Art and Jewelry by me, Sue Kouma Johnson, here on this store or on my main website. Google my name. Thanks! Sue Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) by Sue Kouma Johnson ? Classic Catholic Art. ?In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art.? ~ St. Pope John Paul II