Pioneers of modern art in Malta

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to outline the beginnings of Modem Art in Malta in the fields of painting and sculpture. In the process, the main pioneers who brought about this cultural change are identified and their output is analysed in terms of their individual and group efforts. Modem Art in Malta cannot be studied in isolation and reference is made to what was happening on the European continent, where the major movements of the time began. It is apparent that in Malta, modem sensibility in the realm of the visual arts was a belated experience. It was only after World War II that some novel ideas were introduced, most of which reflected foreign idioms that had been around for almost half a century. There is a historical explanation to all this. From the time of Aristotle down to the present day, the standard philosophical answer to the question of what art is, has been imitation. Malta is no exception to this. Historically, the Maltese had been under the influence of imported traditional forms of art, which came from nearby Sicily and Italy. This is particularly true of Saloon paintings and the depiction of religious themes. In both cases the mode of expression was very much dictated to the artist, in the first instance by private patrons, and in the second instance by conservative church officials. There was little or no real concern for change, for it would have meant no commissions for the artist.