The Qormi Parish Museum : an annotated catalogue of its paintings and 'objets d'art'

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to compile an art historical catalogue of the more important works of art conserved in the depository of the parish church of St. George, Qormi. A number of related aspects will accordingly be analysed; the artist, purpose, artistic merit, medium, dimensions, historical background and the present state of preservation of the selected exhibits. It attempts at inserting the variety of commissions in the broader historical, social and artistic context of Qormi and the Maltese islands in general. The founder of the museum, Don Gerard Frendo, and his rather problematic intermediary position between the demands of artistic patronage and the requests of the villagers will also be discussed as an insight to the historic context in which this art collection was born.