APS Bank has made a financial contribution for the restoration of a unique 15th century painting of the Assumption, found in the chapel of Santa Maria at Hal Xluq, that is currently being undertaken by the Cultural Heritage Commission of Siggiewi.

The commission forms part of Siggiewi parish council.

The restoration of the painting is one of several initiatives that the commission has been considering since it was established in 2004.

It turned to APS Bank to ask for financing for the restoration of the unique painting on wooden panels.

“Sponsoring this restoration falls in line with APS Bank’s philosophy of helping with projects and initiatives that are of particular significance to society and in the interest of cultural heritage.

“We are pleased to be able to make the restoration of this unique painting a reality”, said APS Bank corporate strategy division head George Vella.

Thanking the bank for its generous contribution, Siggiewi Cultural Heritage Commission chairman Carmel Cascun, said: “This is an important project aimed at restoring and safeguarding a unique work of art that has suffered severe damage, such as signs of infestation”. The restoration work is expected to take about nine months.

The identity of the artist responsible for The Assumption of the Virgin around the 15th century is not known.

The painting, measuring 199cm by 149cm, including the frame, hangs on the chapel’s left wall.

This wall has suffered from water seepage but is currently undergoing conservation treatment.

A preliminary report on the painting says that the panel is said to be from the 15th century, but it may be even older.

The panel is considered an important work mainly because of the historical evidence it provides of the original technique used in the production of panels in mediaeval Malta.

The main treatment required is to restore the structural stability of the panel.