Mid-17th century painting in Malta : a critical analysis : the vernacular idiom

Abstract

The prime objective of this dissertation is to present a comprehensive study of altar paintings and other works in Malta between 1620 and 1660, a period which has been somehow disregarded, primarily because of the mediocre quality of paintings. These paintings form part of the Maltese art historical heritage and thus deserve acknowledgement in the study of Maltese religious art. Some of the paintings during the early to mid-17th century, were probably considered the best works that the native context could afford. This situation was the result of the absence of Maltese significant competent artistic personalities on the island and also partly because Malta was a backwater in the development of the Arts. However, Malta soon came to experience some of the finest works mainly by Italian artists who at some point, either visited Malta in search of pursuing commissions from the Order of St. John or sent work over to Malta upon request by the Order. Fine, early to mid-17th century paintings hanging in museums such as those in the Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, which were purchased or donated to the museum in the early 20th century are partially excluded in this study. Largely unstudied, this period is, however, of considerable art historical interest because its production has not been quantified and scientifically qualified. Stylistically, few works betray a sound knowledge of an Early Baroque style and most of them remain rooted in an outdated vernacular Mannerist idiom