Verdala's vault restored

The conservation project of the Vault Painting in the Main Hall at Verdala Palace has been completed and the vault can be viewed in its entirety for the first time in 70 years.

The painting depicts eight mythological figures and two virtues, all framed within a fictive architectural and vegetal decoration.

The painting is traditionally dated to the late 16th century and attributed to the Florentine artist Filippo Paladini. This attribution, however, still awaits confirmation through documentary evidence.

Commenced in July 2006 by Heritage Malta, the conservation project was intended to complete the uncovering of the vault painting and ensure the preservation of the more recent (1910-12) painting scheme.

Besides the removal of the 1930s whitewash and the consolidation of the painting, the project entailed extensive historical and scientific research.

Heritage Malta said the investigations carried out so far have clearly indicated that this painting has an incredibly rich history, part of which has been revealed during the current conservation project.

Over the next few months, Heritage Malta intends to pursue further research in order to tackle a number of questions that remain unanswered.

It also plans to start an environmental monitoring campaign which will be essential for the long-term preservation of such a complex painting scheme. The project was set up on the initiative of President Eddie Fenech Adami and was financially supported with a sponsorship of €186,350 (Lm80,000) by Prof. Joe Bannister of the Malta Financial Services Authority, George Fenech of Tumas Group, Joe Gasan of Gasan Group, and Charles Polidano of Polidano Brothers.