Restoration of unique and historic great siege paintings receive major boost through PA funding

Restoration works on the unique wall paintings, which illustrate in detail the 1565 Great Siege battle, have received a major boost of support; with the Planning Authority committing €75,000 towards the completion of the project.

The project, which in its totality will cost €300,000, is being carried out by the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage within the University of Malta in collaboration with the Office of the President of Malta and Heritage Malta.

The majestic wall paintings adorn the Grand Council Chamber of the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta and were painted between 1575 and 1581 by Matteo Perez d’Aleccio. D’Aleccio was an artist who studied under Michelangelo and participated in the painting of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

Created in commemoration of the Great Siege of 1565; the cycle was the first monumental painting scheme commissioned by the Order of St John, in the principal hall of the newly built Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta.

It is the most detailed and historically accurate visual document of the Siege itself, created within 10 to 15 years of the event, and drawing from many eyewitness accounts.

The paintings, therefore, constitute an extraordinarily important historical document, defining the history of art in Malta, and which continue to serve as enduring symbols for the identity of the modern nation.

Perit Vincent Cassar, the Planning Board Chairperson, said the PA wholeheartedly chose to support this project because of its two-fold approach.

“Not only will the project ensure that these prestigious wall paintings are restored to their former glory but it will serve to provide our future generation of conservation scientists with the training and practical experience they require,” he said.

“It is only by exposing our students to such high-level professional projects within a closely-supervised setting, that they can excel in this discipline and gain first-hand experience in the conservation of decorative architectural surfaces.”

Perit Cassar continued, “Coincidentally, some years back the Authority also partially funded the restoration works that were carried out within the Church of Our Lady of Victory in Valletta. This is not just any other church but was the first church to be built in our capital city by Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, following the Great Siege.” He concluded by pointing out that, “Besides continuing with our responsibility to give protection status to our cultural and architectural heritage, we will continue to support projects such as the D’Aleccio project to demonstrate our commitment towards the preservation and conservation of our national treasures.”

Works on the conservation of this wall painting cycle were carried out between 2001-2005 by the University of Dresden, but the project had not been completed.

Using updated conservation methods, this project will ensure that the final third of the paintings will be stabilised, removing surface soiling which currently darkens the images, and improving the legibility of the cycle as a whole. The project will be completed next year.

For more information on such projects funded by the Planning Authority, one can visit www.pa.org.mtvisit