A technical study of the presumable retable found at the parish church of St George in Qormi

Abstract

The retable found at the Parish Church in Hal Qormi composed of central panel Lamentation for Christ, two side panels - St George and St Gregory and a Crucifixus are all artefacts of cultural significance. The study achieved a detailed understanding of this retable through documentation and diagnostic investigations. This study through a literature review relating to the materials and manufacturing techniques of the fifteenth century panel paintings and a systematic methodology using both non-invasive and invasive investigations enabled a better understanding of the manufacturing techniques, past interventions and current state of conservation of this retable. This study will provide valuable information to future conservators when establishing a suitable conservation/restoration process in the future. Although numerous limitations and problems occurred in this research, this dissertation could be a basis for further research on this retable.