Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8809
Title: A selective catalogue of paintings at the parish church of Stella Maris and the chapel of the Virgin of Divine Graces, Sliema
Authors: Pace, Lisa
Keywords: Church architecture -- Malta
Church decoration and ornament -- Malta
Christian art and symbolism -- Malta
Issue Date: 2013
Abstract: The purpose of this dissertation is to analyse a selected number of works from the Parish Church of Stella Maris and the Chapel of the Virgin of Divine Graces, Sliema. A brief introduction about the origins of Sliema and thus the need for a church is illustrated in the introduction. The history and architecture of these two entities are discussed in their historic and social contexts, focusing mainly on the style of architecture and its influences. Giuseppe Bonavia and Andrea Vassallo will be a main focal point as regards to architecture. Amongst the artists which emerged in connection with Stella Maris Parish Church and the Chapel of the Virgin of Divine Graces, were Mattia Preti and his bottega, Giuseppe Calleja, Raffaele Caruana, Filippo Fortunato Venuti, Pietro Gagliardi, Giuseppe Calì, Lazzaro Pisani, George Preca, Mario Caffaro-Rore and Raymond Pitre’. The chronological analysis of the works executed by these artists illustrate the style of art, from the church’s origin to the 20th century and the impact of the presence of Italian artists in Malta in the 19th century. It is hoped that this dissertation offers a brief insight on the outcomes of restoration. I followed a complete restoration process of some of the works at Stella Maris church which revealed information about the work that was previously unknown. Works that were being restored during the research of this dissertation were the titular painting, the choir apse by Giuseppe Calì, Madonna of the Rosary by Lazzaro Pisani and a bottega copy of Mattia Preti’s St. Ambrose. This dissertation does not give a step-by-step analysis of the restoration process but a constructive narration of how the restoration relates to the artistic history of the works. This dissertation is divided into three chapters which are purposely in chronological order. Each chapter is introduced by a brief thorough process of what it contains and the importance of the selected works amongst the others. The documentation in the appendices sheds light on the historical aspects of these works. The history of the Parish Church of Stella Maris is not well documented. Tas-Sliema: IlKnisja u l-Paroċċa ta’ Stella Maris by Maurice Busietta is the only book which briefly and incomprehensively compiles information on the parish church of Stella Maris. Nonetheless, the book was helpful to my dissertation. The parish book was of minor importance but had essential information as regards to chronology and patronage. Articles in relation to the church compiled in parish leaflets and booklets were of assistance. This dissertation offers the first in depth analysis of a selective catalogue of art at Stella Maris church and the chapel of the Virgin of Divine Graces. The benchmark of this thesis is to illustrate a selective catalogue of works within this parish church which exhibits a celebration of art in Malta from its origins to the 20th century.
Description: B.A.(HONS)HIST.OF ART
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/8809
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacArtHa - 2013

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