New light on works of art

Modern technology has thrown new light on paintings hanging in the Chapel of Italy, at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Techniques being used as part of the restoration of the chapel are able to reveal the original sketches drawn by the artist on the canvas as a basis for the eventual painting.

In certain cases, the finished work departs from the original sketch in some details, in what are known as repensamenti or second thoughts.

Ray Bondin, executive co-ordinator of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project, said yesterday that the VRP has roped in the expertise of Enea, Ente Italiano per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energie e l'Ambient who are applying highly technical means to find out more about the works of art.

The restoration of the chapel is being financed by the Italian government through the Financial Protocol in collaboration with the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation.

The technique being used by Enea includes thermography to identify the type of paints that were used, reflectography to reveal the base materials, radiography to make out the methods used in the preparation of bronzes and paintings, as well as x-rays to reveal data about pigments and other materials.

Climatic and humidity conditions are being monitored to assist restorers in the work.

The project is led by Prof. Maurizio Diana with the cooperation of Dr Bondin. The VRP is part of the Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure.

Ray Bondin, executive co-ordinator of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project (fifth from left) pointing out 'second thoughts' by the artist of one of the lunettes from the Chapel of Italy to restorers Sante Guido and Maurizio Diana. Although the lunette was for a time attributed to Mattia Preti, modern scholars believe this attribution is incorrect.