The gift of wings : the arrival of the St Michael Archangel altarpiece in the Chapel of Provence

Abstract

The St Michael Archangel is a problematic painting that has for far too long been sitting uncomfortably amongst the known oeuvre of Mattia Preti (1613-1699). The painting was first mentioned in 1745 by Bernardo De Dominici in his biographical note on Preti, wherein he lists the altarpiece of the Chapel of Provence as an 'opera bellissima' by the Hospitaller artist. Although De Dominici did not mention it, the painting was known to be a copy of the famous altarpiece by Guido Reni (1575-1642) found in the Capuchin church of Santa Maria della Concezione in Rome. Ever since De Dominici's inclusion of the chapel altarpiece with Preti's oeuvre, the painting has suffered from the relegation of its status to a mere replica of lesser importance, one which is surrounded by original masterpieces inside the Conventual church of the Order of St John in Valletta. Remaining ignored for centuries, the painting has been mentioned exclusively in terms of its relevance to Preti studies in catalogue listings of the artist's work.