The etching class at the Malta government school of art : its setting and running by Carmelo Mangion

Abstract

The objective of this dissertation is to investigate the setting of an Etching Class during the second quarter of the 20th century within the newly established Government School of Art which had been opened in 1926. This newly formed Etching class will be placed within the philosophy of the Government School of Art along with the island’s historical and socio-political context of the time. The dissertation will furthermore look into the circumstances which contributed to the setting up of the Etching class as well as its running under the guidance of Carmelo Mangion; officially appointed Etching Master at the School in 1936 and who was one of Malta’s most important artists of the 20th century. The techniques used by the students in this Etching Class will also be discussed in detail. The final part of the thesis will be a compilation of a Catalogue of Intaglio Plates that form part of the Government School of Art collection. Under the guidance of my tutor Mr Lino Borg, a re-strike shall be pulled from these original plates, and together with relative data the Catalogue will be carefully assembled. It is hoped that such a Catalogue would help to throw light upon the contribution of Carmelo Mangion as a painter-etcher and as a teacher of etching as well as to give contribution to an important National Heritage.