The International Institute for Baroque Studies at the University of Malta published the first issue of the second volume of The Journal of Baroque Studies. This peer-reviewed academic journal is edited by Professor Frans Ciappara and contains 11 original articles from academics based in a number of universities and research institutes.

The Journal features two papers by Professor Denis De Lucca, director of the International Institute for Baroque Studies at the University of Malta. His first study discusses Mattia Preti as an architect while his second study looks at the Byzantine Church of Our Saviour in the Baroque Bonajuto Palace in Catania.

Dr Stephen C. Spiteri, also from the International Institute for Baroque Studies, discusses Vigilance and the Role of Fortifications in Malta during the Outbreak of Plague in Messina in 1743 while Matthias Ebeyer, a Ph.D. candidate at the same Institute presents his findings on Hospitallers and their Conter-Reformation Saints.

A number of renowned international scholars contributed to the journal. Professor Francesco Frasca from the Sapienza University in Rome discusses wars at sea between 1550 and 1720 while Giuseppe Marcocci from the University of Viterbo analyses the conflicting histories of the Portuguese inquisition.

Papers in the field of the history of the arts include Regina Deckers' study on the representation of the corpse in Baroque sculpture, A.D. Harvey's paper titled The seated female nude: from Raphael to Ingres and Marie Claire Finger's analysis of The Knight artist Lucas Garnier and his role in mid-17th century painting in Malta.

Independent researcher Danielle Mallia presents a paper on The Magistral Possesso of Mdina through Favray's Lens, while Professor Charles Savona-Ventura's study looks at The Baroque influence on the uniforms used by the Chivalric Orders as exemplified by the Order of St Lazarus in France.

The Journal of Baroque Studies is an annual publication of the International Institute for Baroque Studies. It reflects the interdisciplinary scope and approach of the Institute and is available from all leading bookshops.

For more information visit www.um.edu.mt/iibs