Bank of Valletta is financing the restoration works on a set of 20 original paintings by prominent Maltese artist Emvin Cremona.
The bank is providing a sponsorship of Lm10,000 to restore the original works of art on which the mosaics that now adorn the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary in Gozo were subsequently commissioned.
“The preservation of Malta’s artistic and cultural heritage is a main objective of Bank of Valletta’s Community Programme,” said BOV’s CEO, Tonio Depasquale.
“We acknowledge that this is not only an important project for the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary but we also hope that it will have significant impact on Gozo’s cultural legacy and the country’s artistic heritage. Emvin Cremona was one of Malta’s most respected artists and, as a pioneer of modern art in Malta, his artistic contribution to the embellishment of this sanctuary gains further significance,” said Mr Depasquale.
The paintings were completed by Emvin Cremona between 1954 and 1962 and were hung in the sanctuary until they were sent to Italy for the mosaics to be produced. They were subsequently stored in a closet in the chapel and forgotten. The exposure to humidity led to a severe deterioration in quality.
Earlier last year, the paintings were located by Fr Gerard Buhagiar, the sanctuary’s curator, who immediately set a process in motion to have these priceless paintings restored to their former glory. The restoration works have been entrusted to Gozitan restorer, Godwin Cutajar, who has already started restorative procedures. It is planned that once the restoration process is completed, these original Emvin Cremona paintings will be displayed in the sacristy of the sanctuary to be enjoyed by all the visitors to the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary.
Commenting about the restoration project, Fr Gerard Buhagiar explained how the idea to restore the original works came about after four of the mosaic works were featured in the Christmas stamp issue by Maltapost last year. “Together with Ta’ Pinu’s Rector Fr Michael Galea, we kicked off this project by contacting renowned restorer Godwin Cutajar from Fontana who immediately took up the challenge to restore the prestigious works.”
“We are extremely pleased with the way that the works are proceeding and are expecting the first of the restored paintings to be displayed at the sanctuary imminently. Undoubtedly, the whole project is very challenging and, notwithstanding the fact that the paintings are badly damaged, none of the paintings’ condition is considered to be irretrievable. Following the completion of this important project, all the paintings will be mounted on canvas and displayed in a permanent public exhibition at Ta’ Pinu’s main sacristy which is expected to be dedicated completely to Emvin Cremona’s works,” Fr Galea said.
Emvin Cremona is one of the most prominent 20th century Maltese artists. Born in 1919, Cremona studied at the Malta School of Arts and also at the Regia Accademia delle Belle Arti in Rome. Some of his most famous works can be found in the Msida Parish Church, the dome of the Hamrun Parish Church and the chapel at the Malta International Airport. A work by Cremona can also be found at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.