Restoration work on Mattia Preti’s St Nicholas of Bari at Sarria church in Floriana is nearing completion.

Painstaking work on St Nicholas is being carried out by Giuseppe Mantella Restauri. The painting is the fourth that Giuseppe Mantella Restauri have restored at the historic Sarria church.

The church was commissioned by Grand Master Nicholas Cottoner to Mattia Preti, il Cavalier calabrese, in 1676. Although Preti was not an architect, he designed the perfect plan for this little architectural jewel, the only building known to have been designed by him.

The grandmaster wished the church to be dedicated to the Immaculate Conception in thanksgiving for the relief from the plague. He also commissioned paintings dedicated to saints who were known to intercede for the deliverance from this feared pestilence.

So far, restoration work has been completed on the grand altar piece – Immacolata, St Sebastian and St Rosalia with the generous support of patrons.

The money for restoring of St Nicholas, patron saint of the grandmaster himself, was provided by Sparkasse Bank Malta plc managing director Paul Mifsud, to whom Din l-Art Helwa and the Jesuits are most grateful.

Although Preti was not an architect, he designed the perfect plan of this little architectural jewel

Still awaiting sponsors are two lunettes in dire need of repair. One represents the Order genuflecting before its patron saint, St John, while the other, an allegory of good victorious over evil, depicts the Archangel Michael overpowering Satan.

While the walls of the church are being redecorated, Din l-Art Ħelwa is urging sponsors to come forward and donate for the restoration of these two precious Preti canvasses in an effort to have all the church returned to its pristine splendour in time for Valletta 2018.

Those who would like to help are to contact: info@dinlarthelwa.org or visit www.dinlarthelwa.org.