A mosaic is always more than just the sum of its parts and this is specially true with Silvia Jencinella's work Our Lady of Einsiedeln.

It expresses the fact that out of love for perfection we must take care of the individual, and protect the multiplicity.

This is the only way to open up our vision of the real image, to understand how the integration of diverse elements is an enrichment.

This is especially evident when we look at the specific political and geographic context the artwork currently resides, and shines, in Nazareth in the heart of Middle East.

May this hope, represented by the mosaic, become someday reality also for the inhabitants of this region.

Multiplicity of persons, cultures and visions of the world is not a danger but an advantage.
A hope that now accompanies me daily, through the bookmarker with a picture of the mosaic, which I received from Father Gottfried.

Through the Einsiedeln Madonna mosaic I had the opportunity of getting to know Silvia Iencinella's work better, and appreciate it more.

A meticulous and precise work, showing at one time strong feelings and a sincere dedication to the representation of the Mother of Christ.

Silvia succeeded in spanning a bridge between the religious vision of this image, and the modern symbolic representation.

Her modern artworks are also very interesting.

It was by pure chance that I met Silvia Iencinella and Stefano Toria - in fact I had already met Stefano on a project at his previous job.

My mother lives at the main floor of a gentry palace built in the early 1800s; for about a month, the house was borrowed by a film crew for shooting a few scenes. The outward side of the house consists of three large halls, adding up to some 150 sq. mt., fully paved in vintage mosaic - which has been fully and meticulously restored along the years. During the film shooting work, unfortunately part of the mosaics were conspicuously damaged.

The production insurance would cover the damage, but we needed to shop for the best possible restoration personnel, which was not an easy task; I ended up having to choose between a well-known mosaic master, and Silvia... her smile was the first thing that won my heart, but then I could appreciate her precision, professionalism and thoroughness, in the making of the quotation. She got me right from the start, never mind the numbers, I trusted her personally, convinced by her humanity and reliability. The job was hers, and never did I make a better choice.

She performed impeccably, always finding the most appropriate solutions even from a cost/benefit point of view; but beyond this, I enjoyed the pleasure of having found an authentic person, who in time became a true friend. I was sorry when she decided to leave Orvieto together with her family, and the only comfort was to know that they were happy and fulfilled in their new home.

And there's always Internet, that draws us close.

We were deeply touched, in Einsiedeln, by the Madonna of the Hermits for Nazareth; what a splendour, what a fire, moving - simply splendid and majestic.

Silvia proves her great artistic and manual talent!

May this worth attest our connection to the Madonna, and the birthplace of Jesus.

I look with great satisfaction at the work I commissioned at the beginning of 2014 from Silvia Iencinella of Knonau. The artist created for Nazareth a unique and marvellous work of art. A part of Swiss culture for the Holy Land!

Benefactors from Switzerland and Liechtenstein can rejoice, proud that such a majestic artwork has been made in our home for the home of Jesus.

As Franciscan Commissary for the Holy Land in Switzerland and Liechtenstein I am particularly happy of this successful artwork.

Beginning with the procedure proposal with full description of materials, along the actual restoration work, until the documented report on the completed works, Musiv'Arte has led an open and transparent dialogue on the measures to be adopted - and in the protection of monuments this is a central condition for the achievement of good cooperation work.

The work of Musiv'Arte has given an impression of respect and responsibility towards the historic work; our cooperation and exchange of information on technical and ethic topics of conservation have resulted in a reciprocal enrichment.

I worked together with Silvia Iencinella and Stefano Toria on a project for the «Università delle tre età (UNITRE)» in Lucerne.

I was immediately impressed by their reliability and professionalism, and by their enthusiasm in taking part to this project.

Silvia adapted herself to the logistic of the environment, which was not the best possible. She modified the setting to make it more functional for our students.

Stefano offered his precious help, by being always present and aware of the needs of students and of the course.

Students of different origin and age, but Silvia and Stefano have worked to motivate these people to get to know the beautiful art of mosaic.

Each lesson was an opportunity to turn into oneself through the handwork of cutting and assembling, a kind of meditation and at the same time an immersion in the Italian culture.

Among the courses offered by UNITRE, the mosaic course has certainly made a strong impression in our memories, due to the professionalism and motivation of the teachers.

In 2014 Silvia kindly agreed to help my grade 2/3 class of international students complete a large wall mosaic. Silvia truly enjoyed working with the children. She was a patient and kind teacher and the students immediately felt comfortable learning from and working with her.

The project was a giant undertaking and one that could not have been completed without Silvia’s expertise and dedication. Not only is she a master craftsman but she was also able to balance the varying interests and suggestions from the children and the school.

The mosaic was a classroom project and the pictures were generated by the children. These were then expertly replicated and woven into a whole. Under Silvia’s guidance the students then carefully laid the tiles. The panel layout maximizes the space without making the art appear overwhelming. In addition, the careful thought behind the use of texture and the 3-D nature of the globe make the mosaic come alive. Finally, throughout the project, Silvia was very conscious of the children’s safety and the artwork is absolutely secure and even welcomes touch.

I highly recommend Silvia for any mosaic project and am extremely grateful that she agreed to help make ours. The experience was one that the students will never forget and the mosaic itself is a beautiful commemoration of teamwork.