"STABAT MATER DOLOROSA" my wall In stornara (italy)

It was about time I share with you the last mural I did in Italy before closing this beautiful year 2024!

Last October, I was invited by the urban art festival Stramurales in Stornara, Puglia, which gave me the opportunity to continue my series of murals rooted in the symbolism of Christian stories and texts.

"STABAT MATER DOLOROSA"

I entitled my wall "Stabat Mater Dolorosa", the first words of a 13th-century Catholic hymn that meditates on the sorrow and suffering of the Virgin Mary during the crucifixion of her son, Jesus Christ. The title translates from Latin as "The Sorrowful Mother" referencing Mary standing at the foot of the cross.

By referencing the archetypal figure of the Virgin Mary as "mater dolorosa", this wall explores the theme of sacrificial femininity and the boundlessness of women's motherly love for men.

At the cross her station keeping,

stood the mournful mother weeping,

close to Jesus to the last

Through her heart,

his sorrow sharing,

all his bitter anguish bearing,

now at length the sword has passed.

Oh how sad and sore distressed

was that mother highly blessed,

of the sole-begotten One!

Mournful, with heart’s prostration,

Mother meek, the bitter Passion,

saw she of Her glorious Son.

Who on Christ’s dear Mother gazing,

in Her trouble so amazing,

Born of woman, would not weep?

Who on Christ’s dear Mother thinking,

Such a cup of sorrow drinking,

Would not share Her sorrow deep?