An early 20th century model of the Good Friday statue of Christ in Repose is being exhibited for the first time at Ir-Razzett tal-Markiż in Mosta.

Made between 1920 and 1922, the model represents Christ prior to burial.

Christ in Repose, which is one of the Good Friday statues at the Mosta Rotunda, was made in 1924 based on that model.

The highly ornate woodwork of the statue proper was done by Antonio Agius of Vittoriosa while Christ and the angels were sculpted by the Gozitan Wistin Camilleri.

While the model is 90 cm high, 45 cm wide and 75 cm long, Christ in Repose, known in Maltese as Il-Monument, is 300 cm high, 150 cm wide and 390 cm long.

In 1926, the procurator at the Rotunda, Fr Ġużepp Vella presented the model to Carmelo Dimech who had paid for the model and for the final work.

In 1900, aged 17, Chev. Dimech had left for America when he was entrusted to manage the business owned by his uncle. Chev. Dimech is considered one of the main benefactors of the Rotunda.

It was thanks to Frida Farrugia, Chev. Dimech's niece, and her family that the model of Christ in repose is being showcased.

Another model being exhibited, but this time in papier machè, represents Christ rising out of the tomb on which the statue of the Risen Christ at the Rotunda was based.

The model and statue were made by Ġlormu Dingli of Rabat in 1976/77. The model, which is also being shown for the first time, was loaned by the Vassallo family.

Other artistic works include those by Anton Agius, by Michael, Pawlu and Aaron Camilleri Cauchi, by Savio Deguara and Monica Spiteri, among others.

The exhibition, which runs until Sunday, is open between 5.30 and 9.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Also on Saturday it will be open from 10 a.m. till noon. These times apply also to Easter Sunday, when the exhibition will be open also between 5.30 and 10 p.m. The opening times tomorrow and on Good Friday will be 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. till midnight.