The Beheading of St Catherine

I refer to the feature (April 24) on the forthcoming exhibition of the Żejtun painting of the Beheading of St Catherine, to celebrate its restoration commendably carried out by Roberta Lapucci and her team at the Saci International Institute, Florence. This is a painting of notable significance to Maltese art history.

Its importance was highlighted in my book St Catherine of Alexandria, Her Churches, Paintings And Statues In The Maltese Islands (Malta 1979) and, more recently, in one of my contributions to Carvaggio and Paintings of Realism in Malta (ed. C.de Giorgio and K. Sciberras, Malta 2007).

Described as recenter depinta (newly painted) in the pastoral visitation report of 1615, the painting commemorates the Ottoman raid on Żejtun and its environs of July 6, 1614.

Its art historical significance lies in the fact that the anonymous artist shows a good knowledge of Caravaggio's late work, in particular The Beheading of St John (Valletta) and The Burial of St Lucy (Syracuse).

My recent illness did not unfortunately permit me to follow the restoration exercise, but I am happy to note that it has been well documented and I look forward to reading the report. I feel, nonetheless, in duty bound to emphasise the importance of an informed caution in the interpretation of the technical and artistic data that has been revealed.

This must be carefully weighed against the available documentary evidence. My fear is the hatching of new myths that will distort the art historical truth. In its long history, the painting suffered from unhappy interventions and over paintings. The Saci restoration has given it back some of its pristine appearance.

This deserves our appreciation, but suggesting that it was started by Caravaggio and continued by two other artists boarders on the fantastic and is of disservice to art history.

History of art is an academic discipline and has no room for speculations unless buttressed by sound technical, artistic and documentary evidence.

Therefore, tread with the great care before making such statements. To do otherwise is irresponsible and a disservice to art history.