As part of the initiatives of the Research Programme for the study of Late Medieval and Renaissance Art and Architecture in the Department of History of Art, Professor Mario Buhagiar and Ms Charlene Vella have focussed their attention since 2010 on three Renaissance paintings in Malta.
These paintings were diagnostically tested and subsequently conserved and restored by ReCoop Laboratory who were also sponsors of this venture, as well as Banif Bank, who have been the generous supporters.
The three paintings in question are a Madonna adoring the Child now in the Parish Museum of Zejtun, a Madonna and Child with Angels, and a Deposition scene now in the church of Santa Maria di Ges霉 in Rabat (Malta), which were heavily overpainted.
The author of these works is Antonio de Saliba, an artist from Messina who was lucky to have been Antonello da Messina鈥檚 nephew, one of the greatest 15th-century artists. These diagnostic tests allowed for an understanding of the technique with which the painting was executed, and more.
The Department is now directing its attention to other Renaissance paintings in Malta that deserve to be properly studied.
For more information about this project contact Ms Charlene Vella.
