Mother Most Pure (Purissima)
by Joseph Stella

Mother Most Pure, or in Latin, Purissima, is an ancient title of Mary. In this portrayl, Joseph Stella has made Mary the "enclosed garden" of the Song of Songs, as he has in other devotional paintings of her. She is fruitful, providing all eligible graces to the faithful. We have looked at this painting many times but are still discovering more within its beauty.

Joseph Stella was an American painter, born in Italy in 1877. He immigrated to the United States at a young age and, supported by his brothers, took up painting. His style is vibrant and colorful, called Precisionist because of the confident, precise lines of his subjects. He had a long, successful career in art and passed away in 1946. He has two other paintings of Mary that we are very fond of. As of this writing, one is available in our shop. Search "Stella" or "Virgin"



** IMPORTANT ** IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER!!
There is a white border around the image. About 0.5" for 5x7, 1.3" for 8.5x11", 1.6" for 11x17", and 1.75" for 13x17", so the image is smaller than the paper!!!

- Acid-free fine art paper.
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!
Sue & John

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - Classic Catholic Art.