The restoration of Laferla’s Ecce Homo

A 260-year-old statue of Saverio Laferla’s Ecce Homo has been restored by Ruth Camilleri Cauchi.

Camilleri Cauchi was commissioned by Naxxar parish church to restore the statue which was extensively damaged due to the fact that it was left in an airless niche for over 10 years.

The moisture droplets on its straw anima could be seen. Restoration did not begin before the statue was dried extensively especially from the interior. On drying out, the statue’s external layer began to fall off. All the parts were assembled in their place and gradually the statue was given its original splendour

The restorer would often observe her father, artist Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, as he painted.

Camilleri Cauchi has restored several statues including the Santi Padri made by her grandfather Wistin Camilleri.

Aged 15, she sculpted a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to be found in Fgura parish church.