More support for the restoration of Our Lady of Victory church

Support continues to pour in for the ‘Victory Team’, a Din l-Art Ħelwa initiative to identify sponsors whose generosity is transforming the challenging restoration of the church of Our Lady of Victory in Valletta from dream to reality.

Thanks to the long-term commitment of the two main partners, PwC and the HSBC Malta Foundation, two major parts of the conservation project have now become possible.

PwC are supporting the work needed to uncover the murals on the ground floor of the church, which are currently being studied by professional conservators. The company is also supporting the restoration of several of the precious works of art contained within the church.

HSBC Malta Foundation will underwrite the huge cost entailed by the conservation of the 18th century paintings of the Life of the Virgin. These paintings, the greater part of which were done by the Maltese baroque artist Alessio Erardi between 1716 to 1718, cover the vaulted ceiling of the church.

This complex work is being carried out by the Courtauld Institute of Art of London; the research and practical hands-on work that will treat the last segments of the vault that wait to be uncovered will then be carried out by the Master of Science Course established within the University of Malta’s Department of Built Heritage Conservation.

The uncovering of this part of the vault will reveal the painted images of the shields of arms of Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette and Grand Master Emanuel Pinto de Fonseca and many other leading members of the Order of Malta.

Simone Mizzi, executive president of Din L-Art Ħelwa, said: “Like PwC and HSBC Malta Foundation, there are many other members of the business community who have risen to the occasion and come to the aid of this long-abandoned national church.

“All are are playing major roles to save different aspects of the church. However, there are many private individuals as well, from all corners of Malta, who come forward daily wishing to be involved with this project and who continue to make contributions. All are helping to make this great project become a reality.”