https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/12541 2026-04-14T11:17:30Z 2026-04-14T11:17:30Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/82167 2021-10-14T07:29:04Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A study of the works of Russian artists in Malta in the first part of the twentieth century Abstract: The aim of this dissertation is to examine the role of three Russian artists, namely Boris Edwards, Nikolay Krasnoff and Gregorius Maltzeff, in the development of the Maltese artistic climate in the beginning of the twentieth century. In order to place the artists in their proper historical context, the first chapter of this dissertation aims to give a general account of the history of the Russo-Maltese connection, from the sixteenth century to the tum of the twentieth century. More detailed attention is given to the artistic link between the two nations, with a section of the opening chapter dedicated to a focus on some of the key highlights of the Russo-Maltese art historical connection. In the final part of the chapter, a brief account is given outlining the details of the presence of such Russian refugees in Malta, thus bridging the gap to the twentieth century. The rest of the dissertation is divided into three main chapters, devoted to Edwards, Krasnoff and Maltzeff, respectively. Each of these chapters is divided into two subchapters. The first section details the respective artist's life and works, including a description of their time spent in Malta and their artistic output while on the island. The second part of each chapter is devoted to a critical analysis of the works by the artist in question that are pertinent to this study. As the artworks produced in Malta by both Krasnoff and Edwards have never been the subject of a proper comprehensive study, my primary focus was to locate as many of the pieces as possible. Dr Albert Ganado, author of the only Maltese publication concerning Krasnoff and Edwards, was kind enough to let me look though the information he had gathered for his essay. Besides granting me access to the large number of relevant works in his own personal collection, Dr Ganado also provided me with a list of contacts who had confirmed that they owned pieces by one of the two Russian artists. My dissertation was entirely dependent on private collectors and their willingness to allow me to study the works in their possession. A number of interviews were also conducted with individuals who had a particularly significant connection to the artists in question. The lack of public works created an obstacle when attempting a thorough analysis of Edwards and Krasnoff s Maltese works, as a number of important works are found in collections that I was unable to access. For this reason, in the sections of this dissertation which are dedicated to artistic analysis, I have focused on the works that I was able to study first-hand. Unfortunately, a number of primary sources devoted to the works that each artist produced prior to their connection with Malta and, in the case of Nikolay Krasnoff, after they had left the island's shores, were not available for study. Regrettably, it must also be noted that the majority of Edwards' Russian sculptures are no longer in existence as, due to his close connection with the Imperial family, many of them were destroyed in the aftermath of the Revolution. This accounts for the lack of images provided of his earlier sculptural works. Description: B.A.(HONS)HIST.OF ART

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/82151 2021-10-14T07:19:17Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Typologies of eighteenth century wood-carved frames Abstract: The aim of my work is to give a general understanding of the different typologies of wood carved frames during the Baroque era. Picture and frame are mutually dependent, the one incomplete without the other and therefore the frame is a fundamental addition to the picture it surrounds and one that affects it profoundly. A frame can easily diverge the attention on or away from the painting hence its design, decoration and its finish are important considerations. Throughout the years, many books have been written about painting and sculpture and only a few on frames. This shows the lack of importance the frame has been given and furthermore little information is available on Maltese frames and frame making in Malta. This topic has never been researched in detail and information is limited to a few documents and some archival records. Another problem is that a number of old frames do not surround their original painting and have either been cut down or enlarged. Moreover in some cases, the mouldings were also changed. A number of frames were also repainted or newly mounted making it harder to place such frames in their stylistic context. A corpus of paintings have been selected to highlight the main typologies of Baroque frames. These were taken from various private collections including the Grand Master's Palace and major museum collections such as the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Wignacourt Collegiate Museum. The dissertation begins with an introduction on the different typologies found in Maltese collections. The process of gilding and a short note on wood are also included, since these would help to understand certain techniques described later on in the dissertation. A historical survey is also given in the introduction, this gives a short description on how the modern frame developed and also gives an account on how the baroque frame developed in Europe especially in Italy and France. Since most Maltese frames were influenced by these countries, it would also help place the Maltese frames in context with what was happening in Europe. The rest of the dissertation is separated in five chapters in which the different typologies are divided and described in detail. The first chapter is dedicated to richly carved portrait frames, focusing mainly on the palatial frames, whilst the second part of this chapter is dedicated to large history frames. Chapter two focuses on the three most popular typologies found in Maltese collections whilst chapter three and four deal with the different techniques used to embellish the baroque frame and give various examples of painted and inlaid frames. The final chapter is dedicated to oval frames and a short note about mirror frames in Malta is also included. Since the form and the decorations of frame were derived from structural and ornamental architectural elements, architectural terminology is used to describe frames, and to have a better understanding of the topic a glossary of the main terms is included at the end of this dissertation. Each frame is described in specific detail and the description starts from the outside mouldings to the inner side of the frame. The material of only a few frames is mentioned since wood is hard to identify and for accurate analysis chemical testing is required. Nevertheless a short note about wood is also provided in the introduction. This study will hopefully contribute to a better knowledge on the decorative arts during the Baroque times, as well as to give a good overview of the different Baroque frames in Malta. Description: B.A.(HONS)HIST.OF ART

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/81896 2021-10-11T10:02:19Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The Old Carmelite church, Valletta : history, architecture and works of art (1570-1958) Abstract: The research hereunder conducted, regards the old Carmelite church in Valletta. The old Carmelite church was, unfortunately hit in the Second World War. The present-day church was constructed after the Second World War after. One of this research's objectives is retrieving old photographs of Gerolamo Cassar' s church that will ultimately help in both understanding of the architectural layout and other objet d'arts dating to the old Carmelite church. In order to necessitate the investigation, research had to be conducted in several places; primarily in the archives of the Carmelite church in Valletta, the Archbishop's Curia in Floriana, at the Melitensia section in the University of Malta and the public libraries in Malta and Gozo. The Carmelite archives are important sprouts of information. Here the investigation involved the reading of the Cabreo, working and payment receipts and other manuscripts relating to the church. From these manuscripts important references about commissioned works both by the friars themselves and also by devotees of the Virgin of Mount Carmel was gathered. Furthermore, the manuscripts provided with descriptions of the eleven altars within the Church, about masses and other indulgencies left after the death of a person. Other research material that was consulted were the Libri dei Proposti, Libri del Intrioto and Exodus and inventories that have survived. Besides the Carmelite archives and other published materials, investigation continued in the archives of the Curia. Here research was carried out in the pastoral visits from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century. From these sources, more insight about the works of art and also about the construction of the first Carmelite church in Valletta was gained. Articles in the local newspapers as The Times and the religious newspaper Leħen is-Sewwa, were also found. Leħen is-Sewwa, featured two special editions on the Carmelite Church in Valletta. These editions were printed to commemorate the festivities that were being celebrated in the 1951 and 1981. The latter edition not only was commemorating the hundred years since the coronation of the titular painting but also featured a brief survey of the works of art and sculpture in the Carmelite church. At the Curia a document regarding the proposal brought forward by the Carmelites to demolish their church in order to build a new one; which would be bigger in size and therefore could accommodate the ever increasing number of pilgrims visiting the church was discovered. Finally, research also includes interviewing people who are well acquainted with the subject of this thesis. The aims of these interviews will therefore provide more insight on the Carmelite church. Description: B.A.(HONS)HIST.OF ART

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/81829 2021-10-11T06:59:36Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The church of All Souls (Tal-Erwieħ), Valletta : history, architecture and works of art Abstract: The main aim behind this B.A. dissertation is to present a comprehensive study of the Church of All Souls (Tal-Erwieħ) in Valletta. The Church had always played a dominant role in the life of the Maltese artisan, since it was the major patron, and sought to decorate its interiors with beautiful paintings, sculpture and Objets d'art. The Church of San Nicola di Bari was established in Valletta in 1569, immediately after the construction of the New City of Valletta. S. Nicola was originally a Greek Catholic Church, and it was under the jurisdiction of the Papas. However as time went by, the Church of S. Nicola was ceded to the Confraternity known as La Sodalita delle Anime Purganti. In Maltese it was mainly known as 'Tal-Erwieħ'. Today the church is known both as the Church of S. Nicola as well as the Church of All Souls in Purgatory. The main purpose is to evaluate an artistic understanding of various works of art and put them in their historical context. A holistic appreciation of all works has never been attempted before, and documentation is sadly lacking. Chapter 1 places the Church of All Souls (Tal-Erwieħ) in its Maltese historical background, and focuses on the arrival in Malta in 1530, of the Knights of St John from Rhodes, accompanied by the Rhodiot Greek Community. Chapter 2 tackles the architectural changes of the Church throughout the centuries. This study will cover the evolution of the church from its construction till the present day. In Chapter 3 the focal point will be a critical analysis of the paintings inside the church, including, not only the church per se, but also works of art in the Sacristy and the Aula Sodalitatis. Due to the large number of existing paintings in this church, only major and important works are studied in detail, while others that are of little art historical value are only hinted at. The sculptural works of art as well as the Objets d'art will be tackled in Chapter 4. Since the middle of the seventeenth century the use of sculpture, especially in the interior decoration of churches, became much more popular. I based my research almost entirely on primary sources, including; Archives from the Church of All Souls (Tal-Erwieh), Archives from the National Library in Valletta, Notary Archives as well as various Pastoral Visitation Reports. Research has been challenging, since it was very extensive due to the nature of the study. This research will offer a better understanding and appreciation of our historical, architectural and artistic heritage of the church of S. Nicola in Malta. The state of preservation of certain works and the inappropriate location of others, hindered technical analysis. However, I endeavoured to take a selection of the most important works of art to put together a coherent study. Description: B.A.(HONS)HIST.OF ART

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z