Priceless polyptych at Mdina Cathedral (part two)

Abstract

The polyptych in the Cathedral Museum, restored to its former splendour by Samuel Bugeja is made up of a main panel and ten smaller pieces which make up the predella. The word polyptych means 'many folds' as the lateral pieces fold on to the main panel. The latter depicts St. Paul enthroned in majesty, sword in one hand, his letters bound in vellum in the other. Eight panels are narrative scenes from the life of the saint. They respectively convey the conversion, the baptism, Paul before Festus, the arrival and shipwreck on our Island, the shaking of the viper into the fire, healing the father of Publius, the raising of Eutychus from the dead in Troas (Acts Ch. 20. L. 9), the beheading and burial. Another panel in the form of a triptych represents St. Peter in glory flanked by St. Agatha and St. Catherine of Alexandria. Of special artistic importance is the last panel crowning the polyptych with the Madonna enthroned, surrounded with choirs of angles playing musical instruments.