In February of last year, Din l-Art Ħelwa organised a string concert to mark the restoration of Mattia Preti’s altar piece dedicated to the Immaculate Conception at Sarria church, Floriana, carried out by Giuseppe Mantella and his restoration team.

The restoration exercise on the painting representing St Roque, on the right hand side of the main altar, resumed last October. St Roque, St Sebastian and St Rosalia were represented by Preti as protectors against the plague since the new Sarria church was rebuilt by a decree of the Council of the Order, dated April 11, 1675, as a sign of gratitude to the Blessed Virgin for her intercession to contain the plague at the time.

In the painting, St Roque is depicted with an open leg sore because he contracted the plague while caring for other victims. It is interesting to note that Sarria church at Floriana is the only church in Malta entirely designed by Preti, both as an architect and as apainter (1677-78).

I would like to publicly thank Din l-Art Ħelwa as well as the other sponsors. I would also like to commend Mantella and his restoration team for their diligent and elaborate restoration works carried out on both paintings at Sarria church.

After so many years, the public has the opportunity to admire the restored paintings in their prestine condition.

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