Stanley Mangion And Christopher Magro: Karlu Darmanin: Il-Prinċep tal-Istatwarji, Ħajtu u Ħidmietu, Xirka tal-Isem Imqaddes t’Alla, 172 pp. €15.
Karlu Darmanin: Il-Prinċep tal-Istatwarji – Ħajtu u Ħidmietu is the latest publication of the Xirka tal-Isem Imqaddes t’Alla by Stanley Mangion and Christopher Magro.
This biographical work, which incorporates a documented register of all the works performed by Carlo Darmanin (1825-1909), is of interest to all those who are keen on Melitensia studies, history of art researchers, students and those who appreciate the various forms of artistry exhibited in our parishes, particularly during the feast season.
This publication fills a lacuna on the life and works of Darmanin. Although various bits and pieces of information were existent, they were incomplete, sporadic and scattered across different sources.
Mangion and Magro analysed all the data available and conducted fieldwork, together with a series of interviews, to enrich the information, discard any misconceptions that have cropped up over the decades and present a complete biographical account of Darmanin.
The book is divided into two main parts. The first part is dedicated to the life of this prolific statuary, together with an artistic appreciation of his main works.
The second is a generous collection of 360 photos in full colour representing Darmanin’s works spread across the various parishes of Malta and Gozo, together with others found in private collections and in North Africa, particularly Egypt and Tunis.
As Mario Thomas Vassallo maintains in his researched introduction, this publication has three major aims. First, it serves as an inventory of the extraordinary number of works that have been carried out by Darmanin.
Second, it is a primary source of research that registers the numerous restoration measures that have been completed over the years. Such interventions were required to mitigate the negative effects of humidity, mouldering, candle smoke and the ravages of the Second World War.
Unfortunately, not all restoration projects were executed with great care and with due respect to the original works. There were various instances where artistic changes have been capriciously commissioned to satisfy the taste of the commoners who at times did not appreciated the original works by Darmanin.
Thirdly, this book provides a handy access point for all those who might be carrying out research on inherited works of local art.
Born in Senglea, Darmanin, known as ‘Carlozzu’, was trained in art by his father Giuseppe. At first he was a marbler but, on the suggestion of his cousin, Giovanni, he started to use papier-màchè (kartapesta) and became the best known local statuary.
His statues have sweet-looking faces, life-like expressions and good postures, though not too elaborate. He was an excellent artist and knew how to treat clothing for his created figures. Darmanin was nicknamed ‘the prince of Maltese statuaries’ by Nikola Zammit of Siġġiewi.
Darmanin is the most famous local statuary in the second half of the 19th century and has contributed greatly in the development of popular religious art in Malta.
In 1896 the Attorney General praised the fine qualities of Darmanin, including ‘his gentle character’. He was regarded as a calm gentleman and a great man of deed.
Besides the analysis of his artistic works and public life, Mangion and Magro also illustrate the private side of Darmanin’s life. They refer to his Scottish wife, Annette Ready, who married him at the tender age of 15. The couple had 16 children, none of whom pursued their father’s career.
Mangion and Magro’s latest publication is more than just a biographical work because it serves as a holistic register of all the works executed by, or attributed to, Darmanin.