Marian ex-voto paintings exhibition

An exhibition of Marian ex-voto paintings will be put up at Tal-Harba chapel at the Valletta Waterfront between September 30 and October 7.

The display will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. except for October 6 when it will be open from 10 a.m. till midnight.

Ex-votos are a means of thanksgiving for divine intervention in curing illnesses, providing a safe childbirth or saving lives from a shipwreck and other accidents.

Ex-votos were commissioned by the person or persons recording the thanksgiving while the choice of the artist depended on the financial standing of those who ordered the painting.

Some ex-voto paintings were painted by well-known and skilled artists while others were done by dilettante artists.

Generally, the paintings are signed V.F.G.H. meaning votum fecit et gratiam accepit.

On October 5, the exhibition will be complemented with a classical music concert called Ave Maria at the Sagrestia Vault, behind the chapel.

Entrance is free.