Though I fully agree with the letter about Antonio Sciortino (‘The Maltese Michelangelo’, The Sunday Times of Malta, March 16), I beg to differ about calling him our ‘Maltese Michelangelo’.

Sciortino was a master in a distinctive class of his own and can never be equated with another genius artist.

When I was an MP, I delivered a speech during an adjournment of the House in praise of Sciortino and proposed that he should be recognised officially as our national sculptor, just as Dun Karm Psaila is our national poet.

I have in my possession a whole list of photos pertaining to the artistic works of Francesco Xavier Sciortino (1875-1958) – Antonio’s brother who also left his mark in sculpture and designs not only in Malta but also in various countries around the globe, particularly Canada as his adopted country.

I recently proposed to a local NGO to hold an exhibition depicting all the works by Francesco Xavier Sciortino in various places around Malta. Perhaps this will lead to a national permanent exhibition of all these photos in a special location either at the National Fine Arts Museum or at any other national culture organisation.

Antonio Sciortino is buried at the Sacred Heart cemetery in Żebbuġ and though his brother died in Canada, his name is inscribed on the same marble slab.