Visit to the Chapel of the Langue of Italy in St. John's Co-Cathedral

The Postgraduate Diploma students together with Dr. JoAnn Cassar paid a visit to Girolamo Cassar's most renowned work, St. John's Co-Cathedral; particularly to the Chapel of the Langue of Italy, on the 29th of March, 2004. During this visit, professional restorer Giuseppe Mantella explained in great detail the current conservation work which is being carried out in this chapel, including Grand Master Gregorio Carafa's monument, by Dott. Sante Guido and his colleagues. These restoration works are being co-ordinated by Dr Ray Bondin, Executive Coordinator of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project.

It was explained to the students that polluted air and the presence of salts inside the stone are having a negative effect on the lower areas and the ceiling of the Chapel. Sig. Mantella explained the criteria and principles that are being used to monitor and analyse the deterioration of the layers of colour and gold leaf on the wall paintings as well as the techniques used for cleaning the marble and stone from long years of superficial deposits. He also described possible measures to ensure the preservation of the artistic works within this highly decorated chapel. The visit was complemented with a look inside the left wing of the cathedral, where one of the paintings which previously hung on one of the chapel's lunettes lay stored, and which is now also the subject of studies for its conservation. The restoration of the two lunettes inside the chapel, and the painting, are part of the conservation project currently under way.
 

Giuseppe Mantella explaining the current restoration works at the Chapel
 
 

Taking a closer look at the current restoration works.

Visit to Our Lady of Victory Church, Valletta.

On the 28th of May 2004, the post-graduate diploma students, accompanied by Dr. JoAnn Cassar, visited the church of Our Lady of Victory in Valletta. Here they met professional restorers from the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, Lisa Shekede and Stephen Rickerby, who are currently documenting and proposing conservation procedures for the 18th century oil paintings covering the barrel vault of the same church. These restoration works are being co-ordinated by Dr Ray Bondin, Executive Coordinator of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project.
The paintings, which show episodes from the life of the Blessed Virgin, and are partly attributed to Alessio Erardi and partly to Enrico Reynaud, are in need of extensive conservation.  Mr Rickerby explained the state in which the oil paintings where found, the documentation techniques being used, and possible interventions required to salvage them. This gave the students a rare insight into the conservation of historic paintings within a similarly important masonry building.
 

The postgraduate students discussing the restoration project 
with Stephen Rickerby
 
 

A general view of the barrel vault in the Church of Our Lady of Victory.