A painting dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception displayed in St Andrew’s Chapel at Tal-Qares in Mosta has been unveiled after months of extensive conservation and restoration.

The origins and period of the painting are unknown but it is calculated to be a late 18th century painting from the distinct brown colour and open weave texture of the canvas,” said Raymond Grasso, PRO for Ċentru Pastorali Sant’Andrija said.

Atelier del Restauro was commissioned with the conservation and restoration of the oil painting. A video showing the different phases of the conservation treatment was also shown during the evening.

Built around 1436 in honour of St Andrew, the chapel was re-built in 1657.

In 1693, the then Bishop of Malta Fra Davide Cocco Palmieri conducted a pastoral visit and declared the chapel to have the appropriate facilities to be able to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

The chapel was then affiliated to the Mellieħa Parish in 1916. St Andrew’s Chapel has eventually served under three parishes – Mellieħa, Naxxar and Mosta, all dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The full restoration process was sponsored by Nectar in line with its core values of social responsibility.