The nude in Maltese art

We are postgraduates read History of Art and are seeking works by Maltese artists - drawings, paintings or sculptures - which represent the nude as well as works by Giuseppe Calì.

Early 20th century Malta posed great problems for the depiction of the nude. Josef Kalleya opened the short-lived Scuola Libera del Nudo for Maltese art students to secretly study the nude. However, it soon had to close because of pressure from the Church and the neighbours.

The Malta Government School of Art provided either clothed male models, at times wearing only swimsuits, or female models dressed up as ballerinas. Students had their training on imported cast models of nudes executed by Maltese students who had won a scholarship in Rome. The latter had the opportunity to study the nude from life, and a number of their works were sent to Malta.

Most of these works are presumed to be in private collections. Readers who have any information about representations of the nude by pre-war Maltese artists are asked to e-mail Robert Galea at rush@maltanet.net or call 7905 2443.

Other works we are seeking information about are private commissions carried out by Calì - paintings, sculptures, lithographs, scenography, drawings and any form of decorative work. Calì was a prolific artist working in the late 19th and early 20th century who was described by his contemporary Ignazio Carlo Cortis as "the devil of the brush". He managed to satisfy his patrons' tastes by combining the importance of clarity and good draughtsmanship without losing the work's sensuous appeal. Studies have already been carried out on the artist, particularly where church paintings are concerned, but the same cannot be said about his private commissions.

Readers who can help with information on all kinds of private commissions by Cali should contact Michelle Galea on 7900 0072 or at mmg46@hotmail.com.