Thomas Dingli, 1591-1666 : his life and work

Abstract

Thomas Dingli occupies a prominent place in studies on Maltese architecture, and often the aim of such studies is to examine the buildings which are said to have been designed by him, and to evaluate their merits and significance architecturally. Who was this man, about whom historians of architecture have been repeating their predecessors? This study attempts to answer the question. The problem is not one of identity or a personality probe; it is rather a quest for the man in relation to the particular society of his times. Little was known about Dingli's private life. I tried to fill this gap, assessing in the meantime, the soundness of the traditional aura of myth that surrounds this figure. Confronted with the ultimate test of reliable documents the image we had of Dingli foundered. The picture had to be repainted on the basis of what the primary sources revealed, for the construction of reality is as essential in historiography as the destruction of the myth. Biographical details are important in this case, not only because they, have not been known till now, but also because they provide a background to the man who is remembered solely for his work. He must therefore form the best available picture of his individual self, of his social position and of other affairs which concerned him personally. The second chapter highlights concisely one aspect of his life: his affluence consisting mainly of immovable property. Besides the fact that it is the best documented issue, this detailed study is important for a wider scope. It sheds some light on the socio-economic position of the Maltese under the Knights in the seventeenth century. Only after having contemplated the particular can we hope to trace the general. Such a case study can therefore be used by historians who will, in future, tap a subject about which we know so little. The importance of Dingli to our history is based on the beautiful buildings which he is said to have built. In the third part an attempt is again made to explain the discrepancy between what the primary sources reveal and what printed works assume. The latter proved to be extremely useful in treating the architectural aspects involved. The aim was, therefore, to establish, according to first hand sources what Dingli erected. There are few occasions where the documents support tradition. Hence the contracts which deal with his work as an architect, builder and stone carver attain greater significance, and they have been included in this work as appendices. dimensioning of Dingli's image as an architect was also undertaken. To claim that this study is an ultimate work on Thomas Dingli and his place in our history, would be a false pretention. The documents which have been discovered till now, have been discussed, but the study is just another step towards a more sociological outlook on the history of the Maltese islands under the Knights.