A catalogue of eighteenth century late Baroque altar paintings in the churches of Gozo

Abstract

The ecclesiastical art scene in eighteenth-century Malta was predominantly branded by the Late Baroque style, which, broadly speaking, was following the stylistic currents of the Italian Baroque. With the establishment and remodelling of several parish churches, Gozo was also capable of acquiring new paintings and altarpieces from the leading artists of the local Baroque School of painting. In spite of all this, several altars were embellished with provincial paintings throughout the entire century. This study attempts an art historical evaluation on these Late Baroque altar paintings, produced for the Gozitan churches during these hundred years. Compiled in a coherent catalogue, these works will be further discussed within a changing-stylistic context in the relevant chapters of this dissertation. This will throw a better light on the development of the altarpiece in Gozo throughout the eighteenth century. Reference and comparison with key works in Maltese churches was also essential in this study, given the fact that none of the concerned artists was of Gozitan origin. A comprehensible catalogue of these altar paintings has never been attempted before. Although most of the works are known, others, especially those found in smaller churches, are still largely unearthed and many do not even know about their existence. Some of these works have never been published or discussed.