A Mattia Preti masterpiece was discovered hidden under a botched restoration job while a painting previously believed to be a Caravaggio was confirmed as being someone else’s work after restoration works were ordered by their owners, Times of Malta has learnt.

The two paintings are exhibited at the Wignacourt Museum in Rabat and had previously remained under wraps in the possession of their private owner, the late Joe Pellegrini Petit.

Museum assistant curator Frederica Agius said the pieces were exceptional examples of baroque art and the Preti piece may have never been confirmed if the restoration works had not been carried out.

Ms Agius said the recently discovered Preti painting, a grand depiction of Greek hero Hercules, had previously been suspected as belonging to the Italian master artist due to its resemblance to his signature style. But it was not until the owners had the painting restored a second time by a Maltese-British cooperative of restoration professionals that its painter’s original brushstrokes could be confirmed.  

Meanwhile, however, another piece in the collection, previously believed to be by master painter Caravaggio actually was not.

The painting, a reclining Bacchus, had originally been attributed to Caravaggio in the early 20th century and Ms Agius said it still required restoration.