Middlesea Insurance has sponsored the conservation of an oil painting depicting one of the 14 Stations of the Cross in the sacristy of Floriana parish church.

Speaking about the sponsorship, Keith Mallia Milanes, assistant general manager, Middlesea Insurance, stressed the importance of supporting the arts and national heritage.

"Middlesea Insurance also feels it is duty bound to support the parish church since the company forms part of the Floriana community," Mr Mallia Milanes said.

The painting has been restored by Sabine Azzopardi. Six oil paintings on finely woven canvas remain in a very poor state of conservation. "World War II and previous unprofessional interventions contributed to their deterioration," Ms Azzopardi pointed out.

The restored painting witnessed extensive previous in-fills covering part of the original paint layer. The painting also suffered a 10cm-long tear. "Research and manufacturing techniques revealed that the paintings in need of restoration could be highly attributed to Rocco Buhagiar (1723-1805) since a similar complete set is found at the Sanctuary Museum, Żabbar," Ms Azzopardi added.

Ms Azzopardi's main area of concern was the clarity of the painting, which was diminished due to the aged varnish layer and various over-paintings. The treatment included re-establishing the unity of the textile, mending the tear and re-lining the painting on an adequate canvas.