Crucifixion sculpture group at St John's being restored

Restoration of a group of sculptures at St John's Co-Cathedral is expected to be completed at the beginning of next year after the Alfred Mizzi Foundation stepped in to meet new costs.

Restoration on the crucifixion sculpture group was started earlier this year by the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation.

Consisting of three large wooden statues of the Crucifix, The Virgin and St John the Evangelist, the sculptural group arrived at St John's in 1653 from Rome as a gift from Commander Fra Felicaja.

Many experts believe the group is possibly the work of Alessandro Algardi, a leading 17th century artist who received commissions from the Pope and other influential personalities.

Only after the cleaning had reached an advanced stage was it realised that the statues were at some stage covered with a thick layer of plaster, said the curator of St John's, Cynthia de Giorgio.

The statues had been showing signs of woodworm infestation and weakness in their supports. The group had lost some of its refinement and definition due to the several layers of paint applied over the years.

After the restorers from Paul Muscat's team at ReCoop started the intervention, it emerged that the statues were covered in a layer of plaster that was much thicker than original test patches led them to expect.

The find meant that the costs for restoration have doubled and the task would take over a year to complete. The Alfred Mizzi Foundation, which seeks to promote and safeguard Maltese culture, heritage, and environment, has agreed to meet the extra costs involved.

The group will then be presented to the public in the state intended by the master artist that made them.