The Notarial Archives Foundation is pleased to invite the public to its forthcoming lecture, Malta in c.1480: Art, Architecture and the Cultural World of the Kantilena, presented by Associate Professor Charlene Vella from the University of Malta.
The lecture will be held at the Notarial Archives Foundation, 217, St Paul Street, Valletta on Thursday, 13 February at 10am.
The lecture will explore Malta's rich artistic and architectural heritage during the late 15th century, a period marked by significant cultural exchanges. Special emphasis will be placed on the Kantilena, the earliest known literary text in the Maltese language, authored by Pietru Caxaro, a nobleman from Mdina. Attendees will gain insights into the island's cultural landscape during this pivotal era. Following the lecture, guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments in the courtyard.
Those interested in attending are kindly requested to RSVP by sending an email to: [email protected].
This lecture is generously supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
The Notarial Archives Foundation is a non-governmental voluntary organisation dedicated to preserving Malta's notarial records and promoting historical research.
For more information visit: www.notarialarchivesfoundation.com and Facebook page: Notarial Archives Foundation
About the speaker
Associate Professor Charlene Vella is a distinguished scholar in Medieval and Renaissance Art History, focusing on Mediterranean artistic interactions. She serves in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Malta and has contributed extensively to the study of Malta's art history. She earned her Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Warwick in 2016, supported by the Warwick Chancellor's International Scholarship, under the supervision of Professor Donal Cooper. Her research focuses on Late Medieval and Renaissance Art, particularly the works of Antonello da Messina and his followers, as well as the Gagini family of sculptors in Malta. She has led several projects overseeing diagnostic testing, conservation and restoration of Renaissance artworks. Professor Vella has authored two monographs and numerous papers in local and international journals. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Premio Antonello da Messina 2023 for the section Studi Antonelliani by the Associazione Culturale Antonello da Messina in April 2023. Her educational background includes a B.A. (Hons) and an M.A. in History of Art from the University of Malta, completed in 2006 and 2010 respectively.