C. Brocktorff and M. Bellanti : topographical views of Malta : a critical appreciation

Abstract

The main objective of this essay, was to gather artworks related to topographical genre in the first half of the nineteenth century in Malta. Faced with a relatively large output of the painterly production related to the subject of topography, I decided to acquaint myself in particular with two prolific topographical artists; Charles Brocktorff and Michele Bellanti. The reason why I chose to discuss the works of these artistically diverse artists was inspired principally by the individual treatment that the artists gave to identical sites such as Valletta and Maltese countryside. I firmly sustained the notion of comparison of the variants of sites but in some cases I resolved to the introduction of the "third" artist. The style and the approach of the individual painters relating to views appeared so distinct and novel, that it would be restrictive to ignore their contribution without even giving a modest reference. The artistic production of Charles Brocktorff surfaces as almost inexhaustible. It became practically impossible to incorporate all the artistic material originated by the Brocktorffs Family of artists. Being very much business orientated, they produced several prospects of the same sites, many times the difference being only altered by the arrangements of people participating in the scene. It is extremely unfortunate, that most of Brocktorffs' works could not be attributed dates. Fortunately, all the production of Michele Bellanti discussed in this paper dates from 1844 and consists of thirty coloured lithographs, watercoloured by the artist himself.