As a Maltese bank with local culture at heart, Banif Bank (Malta) plc is proud to be contributing to the restoration and conservation of one of Malta’s most important Early Renaissance paintings identified by The Research Programme for the Study of Medieval and Early Renaissance Art in the Department of History of Art (Faculty of Arts, University of Malta), directed by Professor Mario Buhagiar.

Commenting about Banif’s involvement in this project, CEO Joaquim F. Silva Pinto said, “Banif Bank has always reiterated its commitment to the local community. Ever since the bank opened its doors to the public, we have made significant contributions in line with our corporate social responsibility strategy. Being a bank that strives to provide a differentiated banking service, we always seek to venture into initiatives that are relevant to our society. That is why we have gladly accepted to support the restoration of this historic art piece when approached by Prof. Buhagiar and his team.

“As a Maltese bank offering a full range of banking services specifically designed for the local market, we are very proud of the fact that all our business is done in Malta. Our success is attributed to the trust and confidence shown by the Maltese community. Acknowledging this, we believe we have a responsibility to our society. Hence we pledge to continue contributing towards the improvement of the social well being in proportion to our business growth.”

The conservation and restoration of the panel will be done by ReCoop Conservation Lab. This will give back the painting its original qualities and make it possible to attribute it in a meaningful context.

Present at the press conference were Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, the Environment and Culture Mario de Marco, Professor Alfred Vella, Pro-Rector of the University of Malta, Professor Mario Buhagiar, Head of Department of History of Art, and Charlene Vella, Assistant Lecturer from the Department of History of Art.

About the painting

The oils on board painting of the Enthroned Virgin and Child on the altar of the Virgin of the Rosary in the parish church of St Catherine in Żejtun, is one of the finest early Renaissance paintings in Maltese Collections.

It carries the signature of Pedro Nuñez de Villavicencio (1640c.−1695) and the date 1672 on the Virgin’s throne, and has for long been thought to be a copy of a much venerated, prestigious, lost, Renaissance painting. One other copy is executed in oils on canvas and is in Verdala Palace, Buskett.

The artist of the Żejtun painting had an intimate knowledge of Antonello da Messina (c. 1430-1479), and the painting is possibly by his nephew Antonio de Saliba (1466/7-c. 1535).

De Saliba was extremely prolific and ran a busy bottega. De Saliba was the son of Antonello’s sister and of a Maltese father.