Agreement paves way for Preti painting restoration

A Mattia Preti painting of St Francis Xavier in St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta will be restored by heritage organisation Din l-Art Ħelwa.

The painting, which hangs in the chapel of the Langue of Aragon, is in dire need of restoration as the paint layers are cracking.

The restoration will be carried out by Italian restorer Giuseppe Mantella after an agreement was signed between Din l-Art Ħelwa president Martin Galea and St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation president Paul Attard.

In 1658, Grand Master Martin de Redin commissioned Preti, who was still in Naples, to produce a painting depicting St Francis Xavier.

St Francis Xavier was a Jesuit and became famous for his pioneering efforts as a Roman Catholic missionary, having led an extensive mission into Asia, spreading Catholicism throughout the Far East.

In the painting, the saint is depicted in his Jesuit robe, on a cloud surrounded by angels and cherubs.