Early 17th-century oil paintings of the four Evangelists gracing the main aisle of the old parish church of St Julian’s (known as Lapsi) are being given a new lease of life as part of a restoration and conservation project of the whole church.

A painting of St Matthew found at the old parish church of St Julian’s before the restoration and conservation project started.

The Neapolitan Baroque-style works, which were all in a poor state of conservation, depict half-length figures of the Evangelists emerging from a dark background, intent on writing the Gospel and accompanied by their symbols.

In a study found in a book published on the occasion of the centenary of the parish church (1891-1991), Professor Mario Buhagiar attributes these paintings to a good artist with knowledge of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and Jusepe de Ribera. He holds that certain passages contain echoes of Mattia Preti but are not enough to allow an attribution to the workshop or the circle of the master.

With the exception of the painting of St John, the other three canvasses include an inscription that could possibly read ‘m616’ (1616). This suggests that it is highly probable that these paintings were completed just over 400 years ago. 

The restoration and conservation of these works has been entrusted to Atelier del Restauro and is set to be completed by August.

The painting of St Luke before the restoration works.

Among other issues, the paintings’ varnish had darkened and yellowed, and a superficial layer of dust had accumulated on the front and the verso (back) of the paintings. Hairline cracks, losses and micro-losses were also visible, and the paint layer was cupping.

The conservators found that most of the canvasses were relined in the past and there was evidence of overpainting. The canvasses also included deformations and punctures.

Of the four works, the one of St John required most treatment due to the high instability of the paint layer, which led to losses throughout the painting.

The project is supported by John Vassallo and Marianne Noll, Francis Zammit Dimech, MEP, the Arrigo Group of Hotels Ltd and Villa Anna Teresa.

The restoration of Lapsi church was instigated by the Għaqda Dilettanti Knisja ta’ Lapsi, a voluntary organisation set up by a group of youths 16 years ago with the aim of caring for the church’s artistic and cultural patrimony.

The painting of St John suffered several detachments and cupping of paint.

The building had been neglected for years as the new parish church was being built and furnished.

The first project saw the restoration of the beautiful frescoed barrel vault, which was carried out by a group of Italian experts within the Restoration Directorate, Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure.

Since then, a large number of works of art and liturgical objects of historical and artistic merit have been rediscovered, expertly restored and are now being exhibited. Work has also been undertaken to clean up and reorganise the vestry and the archives annexed to the church. The project is ongoing and much more work needs to be carried out.

The organisation, which forms part of the St Julian's parish, also aims to educate parishioners, residents and the public about the church’s rich heritage. To this end, a presentation on the ongoing restoration and conservation process will be given by the project leaders and directors of Atelier del Restauro on Saturday at the church at 8.30pm.

Work being carried out on one of the canvasses.

The presentation will be delivered during a concert by the University of Malta Junior College Ensemble under the baton of Mro Manoel Pirotta. At the end of the concert, the first restored painting, depicting St Mark, will be inaugurated.

The event is being organised in collaboration with the St Julian’s local council.