The Maltese papier mache` tradition at the turn of the 20th century

Abstract

The Maltese papier mache' tradition is a medium that is in its larger part, specifically related to the production of religious effigies. Its use on the island goes back to the seventeenth century and has ever since experienced a technical development that has made it one of the most significant and crucial artistic elements in the popularity of village feasts. This long essay aims at studying this medium, both in its technical development and also in its use and effect on religious celebrations and processions. The majority of the discussed works were executed at the tum of the twentieth century, the period in which the use of papier mache' flourished. An introductory chapter gives the necessary background to the use of statues in church activities and the first forms and utilization of this medium. This is then followed by a discussion on Gerolamo and Giovanni Darmanin and their works. They are treated prior to and separately from Carlo Darmanin, who is discussed in Chapter 3, even though their artistic careers coincided. This was done so as to understand clearly Carlo Darmanin, the most influential papier mache' sculptor at the tum of the twentieth century, before dealing with his bottega in chapter 4. In the latter, Abram Gatt and Vincenzo Maria Cremona are also mentioned. In every chapter, the social situation on the island is briefly described, in order to understand better the circumstances in which the statues were executed. The discussed works consist of the most important productions of the sculptors, yet other important and significant statues, including those used for outdoor activities, are also dealt with.