Vincent Apap : the life and art of a modern Maltese sculptor (1)

Abstract

Interest in sculpture among the Maltese has arisen largely due a native fascination for form realised with the commonest material at hand - globigerina limestone. Therefore, there always subsisted the craftsman's response to the challenge of the material - in itself far from an ideal medium to create intricate sculptures in the round. Its very malleability also made it perishable, thus preventing the crystallization of an indigenous tradition. As a result, Maltese craftsmen showed a preference for reliefsculpture, ideally combined with the mason's skill. To this class belong such famed figures as Gio. Maria Attard, Tommaso Dingli, Francesco Sammut, Lorenzo Gafa, Giovanni Barbara, Pietro Paulo Zahra and Sigismundo Dimech apart from many other lesser names. The golden age for these craftsmen-carvers was the entire 17th century down to the middle of the 18th century.