St Rose of Lima has been attributed to Mattia Preti.

Malta has a wealth of hidden treasures in churches, convents and private residences. It is commendable that during the last Notte Bianca, attention was given to the setting up of important exhibitions that highlight Malta’s heritage. An exhibition curated by Fr Charles Vella titled ‘Masterpieces from the Valletta churches’ highlighted the attribution of a Mattia Preti painting that is normally kept at St Dominic’s Priory.

It was the overall selection of paintings and art treasures which made this exhibition a learning experience in art. The Alessandro Algardi statue showing the flagellation of Christ, the bronze angels from St Augustine’s church, the silver statues and their models from St Paul’s Shipwrecked church, in Valletta together with the statue of the Risen Christ from the church of the conventual Franciscans in Valletta were just a few of the exhibits making for a unique experience in priceless art.

Only recently, a website – http://www.famedisud.it/ – noted that, on April 6, John Spike attributed the painting of St Rose of Lima to Mattia Preti.

It is rather unfortunate that is there was no mention of the persons who discovered this painting locally and who then included it in the Notte Bianca exhibition.

I encourage all cultural entities to keep it up and include such important events in their calendar because it is only this way that we can develop a growing sense of culture and become more aware of the cultural treasures that this island can boast of.

With Valletta the Capital of Culture in 2018, the spirit of the whole country can be captured in these exhibitions. This can be achieved by transferring important pieces of history to central locations such as the Auberge de Castille and other venues in Valletta for the enjoyment of visitors.

Such exhibitions serve to highlight the richness of Maltese culture, raise the international profile of those who curate them and increase the international awareness of local achievements.