L'influenza Siciliana sull'arte a Malta

Abstract

The relationships between the Sicilian art and the artistic activity in the Maltese islands are one subject of great interest but also one of extreme complexity. The object of this research can not be separated from the historical background and, as we shall see, the intensity of artistic exchanges between Sicily and Malta and the result of political events that have affected the relations of the two geographically close islands. Therefore, a brief outline of the various political relations between Malta and Sicily will not be out of place, as it serves to frame the stages of the artistic Sicilian influence in Malta. Although the links between the two islands are possible, in fact tracing until prehistoric times, as shown by the parallels between the reliefs of Tarxien and Castelluccio, this brief evaluation only begins from the eleventh century when the Normans incorporated the Maltese islands in their entirety in the recently reigned Kingdom of Sicily. Until 1530, Malta remains a complete prerogative - though remote - of the Crown of Sicily. The municipality of Malta operated at the same level as the other Sicilian municipalities and could be detached or re-integrated into the real domain just like other municipalities in Sicily, such as the town of Butera. The destiny of the artistic tradition of the Maltese Islands proved to be equal to the political one. In fact, the art of Malta from the eleventh century until 1530 is only a pure and simple extension of Sicilian art.