Which of us doesn't remember the stamps designed by Emvin Cremona? This commission by the Malta Post Office lasted from 1957 until the early 1980. Yet, even if I was in my early teens in 1957 they made an impact on me, thanks to my father who was a collector. How I admired them and still do for he collected First Day Covers for us all.
In the summer edition of Treasures of Malta, Katya Micallef , Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at MUZA, in Valletta, dedicates a well illustrated article about Emvin Cremona, one of the leading Maltese artists of the twentieth century. On the cover, too, we have an Emvin Cremona creation - a reminder of his creativity and of his Broken Glass series.
The stamps are but one of his many creations. His art can be seen at public places and several churches: Birgu, Hamrun, Floriana, Burmarrad, Sliema and Ta'Pinu but according to the author "the most popular one among them was the Msida Parish Church of Saint Joseph."
He also collaborated on stage design and public monuments. His international engagements include work for the United Nations Headquarters and Barclays Bank in New York and World Health Organisation in Geneva. Endlessly creative "Cremona managed to develop abstract composition by using broken glass." Hence his Broken Glass series.
His villa in Attard is now a scheduled building.
Cremona was not only naturally gifted but enjoyed an extensive education and training in Italy, the Slade School of Art in London, the Ecole Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Paris apart from the years studying art in Malta. These experiences obviously continued to develop his gift even further.
In this article Katya Micallef has brought to life one of our most talented artists who still lives through his works.
Professor Arnold Cassola is not only prolific on Facebook but much more so in the world of academy to which he belongs. His contribution to this issue of Treasures is Erasmo Magno di Velletri's description and sketches of Gozo and Malta (c.1611).
I find it remarkable that there have been people, over the centuries, interested enough and with the literary abilities to keep detailed accounts of their travels and adventures. Without them we would know very little about our past.
In this article Erasmo Magno is described as "a very courageous man, who distinguished himself both for his military prowess and for his literary skills." He sailed for over 15 years on the Tuscan galleys. Fra Bonaventura Theuli, as quoted by the author says this of Magno: "He clearly described his travels in Hungary and his fifteen sea navigations in different parts of the world, through a very accurate narration of the various cities, fortresses, ports, bridges, feats, factions, battles and victories. This work is truly worthy of attention and had it been better known, he would certainly have been a more famous person."
According to Professor Cassola it would seem that Erasmo would jot down notes on the areas traversed and on the events experiences en route, as well as draw rough sketches of the most notable places and events that grabbed his attention. Later, during the idle winter months, he would devote his attention to neatly transcribing the written text, leaving blank spaces for the eventual sketches..."
Happily Malta and Gozo are also included in his travels.
This information about Erasmo Magno could only have been brought to us thanks to the author's extensive knowledge of the Italian language and his background in history.
Rev. Dr Martin Micallef, a Capuchin and lecturer in the Faculty of Theology examines the attribution of the painting portraying the Immaculate Conception, currently held at the Capuchin Museum in Floriana. It had first replaced a crucifix which was considered to have miraculous powers, inside the Capuchin friary in Gozo and was subsequently taken to the Capuchin Museum in Floriana.
Who was the artist who painted this beautiful painting? Was it Stefano Erardi, was it Francesco Noletti? Research into the matter goes on.
In the series My Favourite Object Dr Anna Borg Cardona the musical instruments in Malta whizz kid, has chosen a painting I too, love and which I saw for the first time in Treasures, The Emigrant's Return, a 20th century oil painting by a certain Bonnici. We've seen many a sad depiction of Maltese leaving to work abroad, most of them are heartbreaking, but this is a happy painting of a returned emigrant whose venture abroad has been successful, and who is joyfully welcomed by his rural family.
Dr Borg Cardona did not fail to point out to us the three musicians "animating this very special occasion."
Professor Mario Buhagiar in The Nadur Basilica (Part 1): an architectural appraisal, summarises the unique architectural legacy of Francesco Saverio Sciortino in the design and decorative programming of the Nadur Basilica in Gozo.
I have visited this church several times over the years and like it but know precious little about it . All I can say is that we have enjoyed their festa and for my grandchildren the highlight is the candy floss man and the band (which I, too, love).
So the architect of this church was the elder brother of the more famous Antonio. Prof. Buhagiar writes that: "The Nadur church is his noblest and most enduring Maltese achievement and his association with it was a lifelong affair...the church is remarkable for its synthesis of Maltese traditional Baroque and the avant-garde architecture which had inspired him in Rome and Milan."
Francesco Saverio had emigrated to Canada where he passed away in 1958. In the author's words: "Malta has still a heavy debt to pay for neglecting his artistic significance."
Mevrick Spiteri writes about two historical palazzi in Valletta: an introductory note on their architecture and social development (16th-20th century).
Both the palazzi belong to the Notarial Archives. The first building, No 24 St Christopher street, houses the archive itself. The second property at No 217, St Paul street has been recently acquired by the archives " and will constitute a state-of-the-art research and scientific centre, as part of the EU funded rehabilitation works currently underway at the Notarial Archives."
The site of the palazzo in St Christopher Street (or Rue des droits de l'homme as the street was called during the French period, the writer tells us) was acquired in 1570 by Francesco de Andrea de Minicuchi from Pisa for nine scudi and two tari.
The site of the palazzo in St Paul Street was bought by Julio Bustra in 1569 for eleven scudi. The buyer was from Cyprus although, like Minicuchi, he was registered to be an inhabitant of Malta.
Lord Gerald Strickland was born in this house.
I found this to be a fascinating and well illustrated read and now that the temperature is once more fit for human beings as opposed to elephants, I shall venture into Valletta and go and take a look at both these palazzi.
The remaining articles are The Wignacourt Psalter: a unique treasure with an intriguing history by Martina Caruana, Paul Shannon and Burkard Wehner; The Role, the Surviving Fuselage and the Presentation of the Gloster Sea Gladiator No5520 'Faith' by Charles Debono and last but not least Kevin Casha's article, Joseph A. Vella (1927-2015) Master of monochrome. Mr Casha, himself a prize-winning photographer, calls the monochrome images of this photographer 'haunting' as judging by some of the photographs illustrating the article indeed they are. Here is another gifted Maltese whose work and success were internationally recognised.
In this issue, Judge Giovanni Bonello reviews Malta in World War II; Wartime drawings by Alfred Gerada (1895-1968) by Albert Ganado while Dr Ganado reviews The Malta Letters; the history of Malta in 10 Letters by Robert Attard.
Cecilia Xuereb reviews the seventh edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival held in January 2019.
This issue of Treasures positively sings. Forget the psalters and the planes since they both hold little fascination for this old prune but I love the rest of it.
An excellent read.
Art in aid of cancer research
A Splash of Pink, a collective exhibition in aid of breast cancer research opened at Gallery 23, 23 Idmejda Street, Balzan last Saturday and will remain open until 1st November.
Gallery opening hours are as follows:Tuesdays: 9.30am to 11.30am; Fridays and Saturdays: 6.30pm to 8.30pm and Sundays: 10.30am – 12.30pm
There are some exquisite paintings on sale and all for a very worthy cause.
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