Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1424528
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 OCTOBER 2021 5 ART THE Malta Airport Founda- tion has announced its eighth major project, which will see it invest in the complete conser- vation and restoration of the painting by Mattia Preti Saints Roque, Blaise, Dominic and Nicholas of Tolentino inter- ceding for the plague stricken. This work of art depicting the eponymous four saints as well as other figures was executed by Mattia Preti (1613-1699) at the height of the plague out- break in Malta in 1676. Meas- uring almost four metres high and over two metres wide, this painting is one of seven works of art by the Baroque artist to adorn the Parish Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Żurrieq. "Through this project, the Malta Airport Foundation aims to preserve this painting for present and future generations as well as shine the spotlight on our villages – particularly Żurrieq - and what they have to offer in terms of culture, art and authentic experiences to both locals and tourists who visit Malta," said Malta Airport Foundation Chairman Josef Formosa Gauci, whilst high- lighting that the Żurrieq parish church is considered a Grade 1 national monument. "Several interventions were carried out on this painting throughout the years, and up- on examining this work of art, it was found to be heavily abraded and extensively over- painted to such an extent that, in some areas, the hand of Preti has been concealed. With the support of the Malta Airport Foundation, we aim to recover as much as is possible of Mat- tia Preti's original paint layer," said painting conservator An- thony Spagnol who is leading the conservation and restora- tion team. The conservation and resto- ration process will entail the removal of discoloured varnish and layers of overpaint, includ- ing excessive highlights, to bet- ter reveal Mattia Preti's original work and his artistic technique, and is slated for completion in the third quarter of 2022. As part of the conservation and restoration project, the painting has been dismantled from its frame to allow for the equally important treatment of the verso to provide sufficient stability to the canvas support. Another important part of this process is the thorough written and photographic documenta- tion of the painting's manu- facturing technique, state of conservation, and past inter- ventions, with an aim to leave as much textual and visual in- formation as possible to future conservators and researchers. The Malta Airport Founda- tion, a non-profit organisation run by an independent Board of Administrators, was estab- lished in 2014 to invest in Mal- tese heritage and the environ- ment with an aim to enhance Malta's touristic product. 345-year-old Mattia Preti painting at Zurrieq parish church being restored by the Malta Airport Foundation