The titular painting of the parish church of Ghasri has been restored through a sponsorship granted by Bank of Valletta.

The perpendicular painting by renowned Zebbug-born artist Lazzaro Pisani (1854-1932) depicts the Institution of the Holy Eucharist during the Last Supper.

The painting was put in place in 1917, during the tenure in office of Fr Carmelo Caruana. Over the 90 years creases were formed as a result of the heavy texture of the canvas, which was gradually getting unstuck from the wooden frame.

A hole in the back wall behind the painting so as to let air circulate behind the canvas also caused damp which formed patches on the back canvas.

Zejtun restorer Emanuel Zammit was entrusted with the restoration work, following other restorations he has carried out at the Gozo Cathedral.

Lazzaro Pisani was born in Zebbug in 1854. He started his career studying under Michele Bellanti and Carlo Ignatio Cortis. He was given a scholarship to attend the Accademia di San Luca and the British Academy in Rome. In 1885 he won a silver medal, at the Colonial Exhibition, London, for his work The Death of Abel.

Jack Thewma, manager of Bank of Valletta's Gozo branch, presented the sponsorship cheque to Fr Edward Xuereb, parish priest of Ghasri, during a courtesy visit to the church following the re-installation of the restored painting.