Ephemeral manifestations in Baroque Malta

Abstract

It was towards the end of the sixteenth century at the very beginning of the Baroque age, that Catholic Europe started commemorating the death of its important citizens by the construction of large ephemeral structures designed to publicly display a real or a mock coffin called a representatio. These catafalques as they were called, were normally assembled within a short period of time to stand in a prominent position in the Baroque church, either in the centre of the crossing under the dome or, alternatively, in the centre of the nave opposite the main altar, where they invariably formed the focal point of an elaborate funerary ritual involving solemn prayers, passionate orations, requiem masses and absolution rites, all part of an impressive festa funebre complete with incense and organ music.