The monumental painting which decorates the main apse of the Stella Maris Parish Church in Sliema is undergoing an extensive restoration intervention.

The painting represents the Virgin of Stella Maris with Pope Leo XIII and is the work of the Maltese artist Giuseppe Cali' (1846 – 1930).

The work, which is painted in the artist's romantic academic style, is signed and dated 1889.

Before the restoration.

Last year, parish priest Fr Joe Bartolo entrusted ReCoop Ltd with the restoration, which is being directed by conservator Roderick Abela.

The scaffolding for the choir and the apse was installed by the Resources Ministry. Minister George Pullicino visited the church today to see the work being carried out.

The church and the painting were damaged in World War II, after which three 'restoration' interventions on the painting were carried out.

The first was an urgent intervention by Candido Giglio. The painting was later again retouched by Giorgio Preca and it was extensively repainted by Raphael Bonnici Cali' in 1972. The latter also documented his intervention on the painting.

The large scale work, with the circumference at its base measuring approximately 13 metres, is executed in oils on a white preparation layer.

The technique is typical of Cali's mural works, consisting in bold brush work, high impastos on a harsh preparation layer.

However, due to the extensive re-painted areas, resulting in the restoration treatment carried out by Raphael Bonnici Cali', the work initially spoke a different language to that of Giuseppe Cali's original work.

Before the onset of the current conservation programme the paintings' state denoted several deterioration phenomena consisting of several cracks, detached and flaking areas, paint loss, dust accumulation and several visible re-painted areas.

The conservation treatment included documentation, structural consolidation, cleaning and integration of the preparation layers and paint layer. The gilt frame surrounding the apse is also being restored.

ReCoop has also finished the complex conservation treatment on the late 16th century titular painting of the Virgin and Child with Saints which adorned the apse.

This painting will be hung in its original place once the apse restoration is finalised.