The art and architecture of Fontana parish church, Gozo : 1893-1968

Abstract

The parish church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Fontana, although not a prominent church within the Maltese Islands, is endowed with numerous works of art of certain importance. This dissertation attempts an unbiased, critical and art historical analysis of the collection of works in this church. The most important works of art were produced in the time period between 1893 and 1968, which this study takes as the beginning and end of its remit. This discussion also places the works within the historical context of the church itself and also within that of the Maltese islands, with a particular emphasis on Gozo. Therefore in the first introductory Chapter, the general historic, social, economic and political context of Gozo is surveyed. The development of the village of Fontana was also crucial to this discussion, since from a small suburb, this now autonomous village, started feeling the need to have a church at its heart. Thus, was pivotal for the inception of this church. Next, in order to put the works of art at Fontana parish church within the artistic context, and understand what was happening in the artistic scene in the meanwhile, the art historical context in the Maltese Islands was also analysed, by giving a generic overview of the most prominent protagonists active at the time. This study progresses with the story of how the church came to be constructed and the main protagonists who made this happen. The second Chapter also includes an analysis and derivation of the style of its architecture. The following chapters move on to discuss the works of art that embellish the church. These have been divided into paintings, statuary and sculpture, and the decorative arts. This precise subject has never been specifically published from an art historical side. A history of the church has been documented in 1968 by Rev. Giuseppe Bajada and Mr Joseph Cutajar, entitled Storja tal-Paroċċa tal-Fontana, however it was never published. They put together information taken directly from senior parishioners who still recollected various episodes first hand. A relative of Cutajar, the restorer Mr Godwin Cutajar, thankfully passed it down to the present author. The only publication devoted entirely to Fontana and its parish church is Joseph Bezzina’s Fontana u Ġrajjietha, published in 1986. This book deals mostly with the history of the village of Fontana as well, and how its church was elevated to a parish church. It goes into detail regarding the various parish priests and their contribution towards this church. There is also a series of yearly issues, entitled L-Għajn il-Kbira, with the first one issued in June 1973 and still continues today. It mostly tackles various aspects of the village of Fontana. All of the above were researched thoroughly for useful information. The works of art have been tackled only sporadically, mostly in unpublished dissertations and never collectively. This study, therefore, is a collective evaluation, and art historical analysis of the works of art that Fontana parish church acquired by 1968.