Mattia Preti and the Rosselli-Massa chapel at the Jesuit Church in Valletta

Abstract

This dissertation will analyse the Petrine cycle which was painted by Mattia Preti for Pietro Rosselli’s chapel, held in ius patronatus at the Jesuit Church in Valletta. The analysis will not only discuss the artistic significance of the cycle but importance will also be given to the theological, political and symbolical aspects which were vital for the success of this commission. Chapter 1 will focus on the art historical context of the Rosselli-Massa chapel. This chapter will discuss, in a holistic manner, the elements of the chapel ranging from its acquisition by Pietro Rosselli to the commissioning of works to be carried out by Mattia Preti. Unfortunately the document showing the interaction between Mattia Preti and Pietro Rosselli for the realisation of Petrine cycle has not surfaced and therefore a hypothesis was done to facilitate the understanding of this commission. This will be done based on the fortuna critica and literature which was written about Mattia Preti’s works within the Rosselli-Massa Chapel. Chapter 2 will discuss the patron himself, Don Pietro Rosselli. Not a lot was written about Rosselli and the life of the patron was always superficially analysed. This chapter will analyse the life of the patron based on the archival research which was carried out and which will help consolidate the identity of Pietro Rosselli. Chapter 3 will consist of a formal and comparative analysis of the Petrine cycle which included a physical viewing to aid with the study of the paintings. The aim of this chapter is to analyse Mattia Preti’s style during his initial years in Malta as well as its development throughout the years before his arrival on the Maltese islands. Finally, the concluding remarks on the Rosselli-Massa chapel will be drawn out.