The plague of 1676 in the art of Malta

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to present a comprehensive study of plague paintings produced during and after the plague epidemic of 1675-1676. The period of production under study encompasses a time span of approximately thirty years and these paintings shall be discussed in the context of Baroque painting in Malta. The paintings shall also be discussed in the context of plague devotion in the Maltese islands. There exist a number of publications that provide studies in late seventeenth century art. The most important publications and ongoing research is that of Mario Buhagiar, John Gash, John Spike and Keith Sciberras. However, the study of plague iconography in late seventeenth century art in Malta was never taken as an isolated topic of study. The late Joseph Micallef has, on the other hand, produced extensive research on the sociological and historical aspect of the plague of 1675-1676. For the purpose of this art historical study I have carried out a thorough survey of late sixteenth, seventeenth and early eighteenth century paintings in ecclesiastical and public collections coupled with research in ecclesiastical manuscripts and sources from the Archives of the Order. Furthermore the suggestions regarding the authorship of a number of paintings presented in this study reflect evidence collected from both technical and stylistic analyses. Unfortunately, a number of paintings remain in search of an author. These will, however, offer a point of departure for future study. The most important handicaps in the presentation of this dissertation are the state of preservation of some of the works and the inappropriate location of some of the canvases.