Edward Caruana Dingli (1876-1950) and Olga Galea Naudi (1890-1971) : the artistic repercussions of an intimate relationship

Abstract

This thesis analyses the artistic repercussions of the intimate relationship between Olga Galea Naudi (1890-1971) and the twentieth-century Maltese portraitist Edward Caruana Dingli (1876-1950) set within Malta’s artistic and socio-historical contexts. The key issues that will be addressed in this dissertation are centrally concerned around Olga’s role in Edward’s art, with a broader discussion of the roles of a muse, model and sitter that includes the international context. Edward and Olga were both previously married, to Charlotte and Carlo respectively, regardless they began a relationship which continued to flourish. Edward Caruana Dingli left a significant legacy in local portraiture. Edward’s portraits capture the Romantic essence of Giuseppe Calì (1846- 1930). Analysing Edward’s portraits reveals that Olga was without doubt his most important sitter, and was certainly the one he painted on most occasions, be they formal or informal portraits, the latter being the ones that instigate a discussion on Olga having served as Edward’s muse. However, the artist did not limit himself to including Olga’s likeness only in portraiture and her presence can also be found in genre or folkloristic scenes furthering the discussion on Olga’s importance to Edward’s art and his fascination with Olga. His typical fair face, rosy-cheeked women is most typical in the way he immortalized Olga in her portraits. This is all set within the Maltese context of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries which was a politically tremulous period with very strong pro-British and pro-Italian sentiments.