Art historian drawing up comparative study of inventories

A comparative study between inventories dating back to the 18th century and annotations taken during the early 20th century is underway to determine what works of art have been misplaced or lost throughout the years in the Jesuits` Church in Merchants Street, Valletta.

The study is in the hands of art historian Daniela Apap Bologna, who has also been entrusted by the Valletta Rehabilitation Project to compile an inventory of the present day works of art in the church.

Ms Apap Bologna`s interest in inventories was kindled when she followed a course on cultural heritage and heritage management, after being awarded an EU scholarship organised by the Foundation for International Studies in conjunction with the Universita del Mediterraneo in Rome.

She has now been conducting considerable research on the Jesuits` Church for the past two years through on-site examination of the works of art and through the archives of the National Library and of the Cathedral Museum in Mdina.

After presenting a detailed study of the information categories necessary, following the standards established by the International Documentation Committee, VRP coordinator Ray Bondin accepted her on board.

Ms Apap Bologna said that an inventory was a useful databank of information because it ensured the accountability of objects, provided a historic archive and supported physical and intellectual access to objects, among others.

Delving into the history of the church, Ms Apap Bologna said that in the 17th century it was considered as one of the richest churches on the island.

"To the modern day art historian, the altars of the church are an excellent example of a complex stratified history of altar dedication," she said.

"They are not only examples of religious iconographical themes, but bear witness to the richness and sophisticated patronage patterns of the pre-suppression Jesuit society in Malta, comparable to other Jesuit centres in Europe and abroad," Ms Apap Bologna said.

P. Giuseppe Valeriano is the architect responsible for the innovative Latin cross plan of the Jesuits` Church, which was designed around 1593 - archival evidence bears witness to Valeriano`s involvement with the church.

"This type of ground plan was to eventually serve as a catalyst for ecclesiastical constructions in Malta," she said.

Valeriano was an important Jesuit architect, who unfortunately died before the church was completed.

"It is still not certain who supervised the rest of the construction or whether the designs of Valeriano were altered. However, what is definite is that this Jesuit church was complete in July 1615," Ms Apap Bologna said.

Another Jesuit architect P. Natale Masucci, who was on the island in 1608, could have presumably been involved in monitoring the construction works. Masucci`s relationship with the Jesuits` Church is currently being investigated.

Francesco Buonamici was responsible for the major remodelling and repair works that took place in the college and the interior of the adjoining church and façade, after the damage caused by the 1634 explosion of the Order`s gunpowder store nearby.

"The church is full of important works of art by both Maltese and international artists. The altar paintings bear attributions to artists such as Giovanni Battista Caracciolo, Filippo Paladini, Mattia Preti and Giuseppe d`Arena," she said.

Ms Apap Bologna insisted that Baldass Peruzzi, an artist from Siena, did not have any works in the church.

Restoration works on the church started six years ago and so far Lm80,000 have been spent. Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech who visited the works on Wednesday, said that another Lm15,000 would be spent on restoring it to its former glory.