In Malta, memorial tablets can mainly be seen in St John’s Co-Cathedral, although some exist in other churches. However, in the 20th century, Ronald Pisani designed and executed many tablets which are in the Mdina Cathedral as well as Ta’ Giezu in Rabat. Other tablets were made for the Canons of the Cathedral chapter.
A descriptive, detailed tablet was created to commemorate the late Fra Andrew Bertie, the 78th Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, who served for nearly 20 years from 1988 until his death in 2008. Bertie was the first Englishman elected Grand Master since 1258.
This tablet was conceived by Marquis de Piro, a very close friend of the Grand Master. It is designed by Capt. Adrian Strickland and executed by the master craftsman Pisani. He gave it an identity with a style that displays the refinement and pomp of the Order. Over the years, this style has become synonymous with Pisani.
The monument measures 8ft by 4ft and includes stylized motifs in coloured marble. The background shows asymmetrical carving flowing freely throughout. The drops bring to the fore the ermine cape showing off the radiant background worked in bianco di Carrara. It continues with decorative edges fashioned with diamond shaped panels worked in lapis lazuli conceiving an intricate pattern with giallo di Siena and rosso di Francia marbles.
Enhancing the tablet is the ermine mantle arranged with the super imposed rosary bead and the Grand Master’s family coat-of-arms made in bianco di Carrara. The princely crown finishes off the tablet with a regal touch. Pisani developed a genre of illuminating marble motifs matching the border and giving the monument a rich pictorial and aristocratic quality. The Bertie Monument is now at Casa Lanfreducci, the Order’s Maltese seat.
One of Pisani’s most exclusive works is the unique marble external pedestal made in 1997 for the feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is put on display every year at Sliema seafront. Probably the only one of its type in existence, it is constructed of polychrome marble, stands five metres high and weighs eight tons.
The sculptor built the pedestal in a way that it could be assembled and dismantled each year. Four large columns made in the Egyptian style surround the monument resting on a spreading base made of bianco di Carrara and designed in macchia aperta style. Other decorative features can be seen in the sides worked in green marble that combine well with the composition and emphasise the continuity of the macchia aperta design. The pedestal is bracketed by the well-balanced capitals in gold and red indigo colours.
The combination of style, design and the various types of marble used to create this monument is every bit as grand as the materials imply. Such exclusive and original achievements keep Pisani at the avant-garde of his art, ahead of the competition and with a justified reputation. There is an extraordinary confidence in his work which comprises everything from the choice of marble and design to the technical skill with which it is handled.
In 1974 Pisani constructed a different type of monument which is now at the Sliema Ferries. It commemorates all those who died in Sliema during World War II. Inscribed on the front of the monument are 300 names of those who lost their lives in this conflict. It is impressive in its simplicity, made of bianco di Carrara marble and designed to end in a slanting blade shape. Near the top, the oval medallion encloses the Sliema coat-of-arms consisting of red and white gilded badges surrounded with laurel leaves.
Another milestone in Pisani’s career can be found in Cospicua. The artist Pietru Pawl Caruana (1794-1852) had painted the picture of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin found in the Parish church of that city. A century ago Cardinal Ferrata had crowned the Blessed Virgin and in 2006 Pisani designed and carved a monument to commemorate the first centenary of this event.
The monument is made of hard stone and designed in the shape of a blanzun (a flower bud) covered with Carrara marble panels made in low relief. Inscribed on the sides and back of the pedestal is a detailed history of the event written by Sonnie Aquilina. The statue in bronze was made by Joseph Chetcuti and gilded by John Pace of Marsaxlokk. This monument is in Pjazza Gavina Gulia, Cospicua.
Also worth mentioning is the pedestal of Pietro Floriani, the architect who designed the fortifications of Floriana. Pisani created the pedestal and the column made of zonqor (hard limestone) in the late Baroque style, while Christopher Ebejer sculptured the statue and the cast was done by Joseph Chetcuti.
Among his numerous other works around the island one can also mention the Karen Grech marble monument in San Gwann playing field. Pisani captures the exclusive individual moment and the simplicity of a young girl. The mood changes dramatically when he constructed the monument of film star Oreste Chircop in Hamrun. The subject relies on the sentiment and pathos of music and the spontaneous warmth of the actor and singer.
Most of the monuments Pisani created at the Addolorata, Siggiewi and Mosta cemeteries, amongst others, are mainly made of Carrara marble. Pisani has reproduced austere and impressive moments, with deep feeling and reverence, which are evident in the fervour of his craftsmanship. The sculpture in these subjects refers to 19th century funerary art: figures of the risen Christ, angels and other symbolic subjects, with their bodies, poses and expressions representing grief and the dramatic moment of the transience of life. In the Siggiewi cemetery, Pisani had carved a statue of La Pieta’ according to a design by Michelangelo. According to the sculptor, he is the only one who has made use of this classic sketch.
There is also scope to discuss other decorative items found in the public sphere or in private houses. Marble fountains, for example, were generally designed or sculpted using the Maltese dolphin as an enhancement. These embellished the natural landscape, whilst the sound of flowing water is always a prime feature.
Pisani has also constructed many fireplaces that vary in different shapes and forms, from Roman classical style to contemporary simplicity. The sculptor uses his versatility and vision in designing and executing new versions to satisfy his clients.
A typical Pisani Carrara marble fireplace is constructed in a flamboyant manner, perhaps interpreting the Italian style which is always very fashionable in Malta. Its heavy round edges are designed in bas-relief and the whole construction relies on the subject of carved laurel leaves and large foliage motifs, finished with heavy ornamentation. Such a large-scale subject is extravagant and sumptuous; a fireplace that would take centre stage in any room.
It is not possible to write about so many marble items and not mention the well-known Maltese ‘balavostra’ (Maltese small stone column). Pisani designed and sculpted remarkable flights of balustrades in elegant homes, in churches and many more. These were generally made in the langasa (pear) style, similar to the stone balavostra, and others carrying the traditional characteristics. There is one particular architectural marble balustrade in a private residence can in fact be considered as one of Pisani’s masterpieces.
Monuments have been executed and immortalised for many centuries. Sculptors brilliantly achieve their intentions to convey messages of life like pride and heroism or to commemorate dramatic moments. All these moving artistic sentiments are portrayed in many forms, not least in the many existing marble works of art.
Undoubtedly the Maltese marmista is an extraordinary master craftsman who produced marble works of exceptional quality. It is in the interpretation of a design, in the character and style of a monument, but most of all in his technique and choice of soft sfumato marbles, that one immediately reads Ronald Pisani.