Giulio Cassarino (1588-1637) a biographical outline

Abstract

The discovery of a faint signature on two local paintings, situated at the church of the Carmelite friars and St John's co-cathedral both in Valletta, scrawled in oil colours and carrying the word Cassarino, has raised interest amongst the local art lovers in the identity of an otherwise largely obscure painter. A thorough search reveals that the name Cassarino is signed on at least another work in Malta. The three paintings are: St Mauros healing a Sick Child at the small church of the Virgin of Liesse in Valletta; St Sebastian tended by St Irene at St John's co-cathedral; and St Theresa of Avila at the church of the Virgin of Mount Carmel, Valletta. Though the paintings may be signed ad futuram rei memoria; this particular artist to have escaped posterity for a long time. Now, however, the local art scene is intrigued. The interest in this painter is all the greater as he appears to have been a contemporary of the great master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. More importantly, he seems to have been one of the very few artists in Malta who painted in a manner that was influenced by Caravaggio. In fact, he has been heralded as one of the significant Caravaggists working in Malta.