The pen and watercolour drawing by Mattia Preti named The Blazon Drawing, painted during his Neapolitan period (1653-1660), will be among a number of artworks being sold at Belgravia Auction Gallery tomorrow.

The drawing, which carries an estimate of €24,000 to €28,000, was probably intended for a Spanish nobleman, as evidenced in the coat of arms. Time, honour and fame support the coat of arms crowned by two spirits of prosperity.

In his study and analysis of the drawing published in Histories of Malta: Travesties and Dynasties, Vol. XI, 2010, 93-101pp., Giovanni Bonello writes:

“Artists usually inserted the personification of time to accentuate the transience of life. Not in The Blazon Drawing. Here the presence of time serves the opposite function – to underscore the immortality of the fame and honour of the owner of the escutcheon. That is why time has put away his scythe and laid down his clessidra horizontally, in a way that stops it working.

“In fact, time, instead of frantically flying around doing his lethal work, is, in this drawing, reduced to patiently supporting the shield of fame and honour on his arm, to render it eternal. Instead of the master of death, time now symbolises immortality.”

Other works on auction include three painted by Willie Apap, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Sir Gerald Creasy and Archbishop Michael Gonzi, for the premises of the Overseas League-St George’s Club in Valletta, officially inaugurated by the Governor himself on May 5, 1953. All carry an estimate of €10,000 to €14,000.

Preti’s drawing was probably intended for a Spanish nobleman

Auctioneer Joseph Sammut said that the December auction always brings out some exceptional pieces.

A total of 1,000 lots will be sold at auction. Other names include Victor Pasmore, Antoine Camilleri, Edward and Robert Caruana Dingli. The sale also includes silverware, jewellery, Maltese rare furniture and decorative items.

The catalogue and more details can be found at www.belgraviaauctions.com.