A 15th century Renaissance panel painting is currently on exhibit in, 'Reborn - an early Renaissance painting in focus', organised by Heritage Malta at the National Museum of Archaeology.

This exhibition presents the result of a conservation project undertaken on a 15th century Renaissance panel which will eventually be exhibited at MUŻA, the new national community art museum at the Auberge d'Italie, a flagship project of Valletta 18 European Capital of Culture Title.

This history of this piece remains elusive, and its author unknown except for his name, Maestro Alberto, included in the scenography of the episode depicted. The panel is certainly a fragment from a bigger structure, whose purpose and function remains, to date, ambiguous.

The artist's signature, Maestro Alberto, is featured prominently hanging in a cartouche right behind the kneeling Virgin Mary. The painting features three connected scenes. In the central segment the focus is on the nativity scene. The size and scale of both Virgin and Christ Chil denote importance and significance. Both are disproportionately large in comparison to St Joseph, depicted lying down in the shed. The other two scenes show the Magi on their way to Bethlehem and the shepherds tending their flock.

Te exhibition highlights how extensive research led the conservators-restorers to the chosen decisions. This conservation project led the professionals to devise the best possible solutions as to how to present the object on display and make it accessible to the varied publics.

The painting on a long wooden board, was in such a critical condition when re-assessed in 2010. Constant scientific monitoring over a period of one year showed that the rate of deterioration was still relatively fast. Past treatments were in part the cause of the problem and fresh painting detachments were detected during this scientific monitoring. Other conservation issues were noted including the retouching and varnish, past insect infestation and the frame, once gilt, was now in bare wood. The painting was constantly deforming due to these issues, causing paint cracks and detachments. Constant monitoring demonstrated that this panel proved to be much more sensitive than other paintings exhibited at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Scientific investigation helped determine the cause of the painting's rapid deterioration. Thanks also to extensive research, the appropriate type of materials and treatments could be clearly established.

The painting was documented before, during and after conservation and restoration treatment. All the information collated was properly compiled and archived for future reference. The purpose of this conservation and restoration project was to reduce the rate of deterioration and save as much of the original as possible.

Scientific tests determined also how and in what ways the painting could best be displayed in a very stable environment. Apart from providing better museum environmental conditions at MUŻA, it was decided to further preserve the painting by placing it inside a sealed container which descretely fits inside the painting's outer wooden frame. This enclosure guarantees a very stable micro-environment which limits further deterioration from happening. Tests continued ona frequent basis over a long stretch of time and no fresh paint detachments have been noted to date.

The exhibition at the National Museum of Archaeology will remain open until 31 January. The opening hours of 'Reborn - an early Renaissance painting in focus' are from 9am to 5pm, last admission at 4.30pm every day.

More information about this exhibition and Heritage Malta and its activities can be found on the agency's website, www.heritagemalta.org, or on the Facebook page.