Late Medieval and early modern panel paintings in Maltese churches and collections

Abstract

The aim of this long essay is to trace the development of the altar painting through the late medieval and early modern panel paintings found in the Maltese Churches and Collections. The panel paintings discussed hereunder were either painted on the Islands or else imported through the well informed artistic patronage of the Cathedral Chapter and the newly established mendicant orders. Focusing mainly on style and influences this study sheds light onto the flow of ideas and techniques which shaped the development of the autochthonous tradition. Studied in its historical context, each panel is also analysed critically and stylistically. The study includes works painted by both recognized and anonymous artists mostly of foreign origin. Moreover, the works discussed in this dissertation are housed in Maltese parish churches, sacristies, filial churches as well as museums. A small number of vernacular works have also been included and although being of low quality, they help better to trace the religious devotion prevailing during the medieval epoch. Due to the inappropriate location and state of conservation of some of the paintings, a proper examination could not be carried out in some cases thus hindering the proper analysis of some panels. Furthermore, the paintings will not necessarily be discussed in chronological order but one which made a logical understanding of the evolution of this long-lasting tradition possible. This study entailed archival research especially at the Cathedral Museum of Mdina where the greatest collection of medieval paintings is to be found. The consultation of such archives carried out in order to view pastoral visitations especially those carried out by Monsignor Dusina. Moreover, quite a large number of secondary sources have been extensively made use of. Much has been written about Malta's late medieval and early modern history. This dissertation hopefully sheds light upon a less studied aspect of medieval art, the icona, its context and development.