A bronze replica of Algardi’s Christ the Saviour was restored to its place on the façade of St John’s Co-Cathedral on Friday, in time for today’s celebrations for the feast of St John.

The original bronze bust of ‘Christ the Saviour’ by Alessandro Algardi was commissioned by Fra Alessandro Zambeccari, a Knight of the Order, in the mid 1630s, as a gift to the Order and Malta and perhaps to gain a promotion in the Order.

The bronze bust was placed in a cornice of a 13-metre high structure at the water’s edge in Grand Harbour, described by contemporaneous travellers to be in the proximity of the church of the Virgin of Liesse. Its high position made it visible to everyone on board the Order’s vessels, who asked the Lord’s blessing when leaving harbour for dangerous sea patrols, or thanked the Lord for a safe return.

This structure was apparently demolished in 1712 and the half figure of Christ the Saviour was placed on the façade of a new church, dedicated to the Saviour built by Grand Master Perellos at Barriera Wharf.

In 1853 it was placed on the façade of St John’s Co-Cathedral. By this time it had lost all the original parts, except for the bronze head. The Maltese artist Giuseppe Hyzler was responsible for making the present drapery out of hammered copper.

Its high position on the pediment of the façade made it quite unreachable for maintenance. Therefore the bronze and copper deteriorated over time and were in a very poor state of preservation.

Thanks to the initiative of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation and the Valletta Rehabilitation Project a preservation and intervention plan was drawn up and executed by personnel from Sante Guido Restauri Opere d’Arte, the same people who are currently restoring the chapel of Italy in St John’s Co-Cathedral and who have been responsible for the restoration of a large number of artistic objects of Italian masters in Malta.

After preservation it was established that the original bronze and copper figure should be conserved and exhibited indoors. It will shortly find its place in St John’s Co-Cathedral Museum, where it will be displayed in a suitable place and at the correct height.

In order not to leave the façade scarred and empty, the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation commissioned Funderija Artistika of Luqa, under the management of Joseph Chetcuti, to make a bronze replica. The bronze head and hammered copper drapery was cast in one piece, it is weather protected and will withstand the elements for many years to come.

The whole exercise has been a prime example of interdisciplinary cooperation. Algardi’s work is of great importance as regards Roman Baroque sculpture in Malta. Historical research revealed many details previously unknown, and the restoration process provided a great opportunity to acquire more knowledge about materials and chemical processes. It is also important for the general enjoyment of art and it certainly shows the importance of taking care of our cultural heritage.