The representation of St Jerome in art in Malta : 1600-1900

Abstract

This dissertation deals with the representation of St Jerome in Art in Malta between 1600 and 1900. The reasons behind this timeframe are not to limit the research conducted, but rather to provide a guide within the dissertation itself. It is unlikely that representations of St Jerome executed in Malta before 1600 exist, while the majority of the rest seem to have been executed in the seventeenth century. Similarly, few representations of St Jerome were executed after 1900, and thus the focus has been on the years in between. Although Malta has only somewhat departed from the Baroque period onwards with regards to the representation of St Jerome, enough works exist up until 1900 for a comprehensive study of the topic as a whole. Further research has also revealed that a number of pre-Baroque representations exist in international collection with which some minor comparisons are made in the Introduction to provide the proper art historical context for the production of works depicting St Jerome in Malta. The Introduction also analyses the origins and development of the iconography of the saint as well as the major trends and influences surrounding his representation throughout the years. Chapter One deals with altarpieces and ceiling paintings found in churches in Malta that represent or include St Jerome. The amount that exists is considerably small, and the first chapter provides a rather complete study of all the altarpieces and ceiling paintings in existence. Chapter Two is an analysis of the quadri di galleria and small devotional works, of which more exist, thus making a complete study of all of the works impossible. As a result, the selection of each work discussed within a catalogue entry is based on its iconographic importance and on its subsequent influence on the representation of St Jerome in art in Malta. A list of works which includes all of the works I have come across while researching my dissertation has also been added at the end. The list gives an idea of what currently exists and thus provides a synopsis of the topic as well as a point of departure for any future research on the representation of St Jerome in art in Malta.