The Friends of the Manoel, in collaboration with St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, are organising a talk by Fr Marius Zerafa, OP, on ‘The Life and Works of Caravaggio’ on Tuesday at 6pm at the Oratory of St John the Baptist, St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta.

Fr Zerafa, former curator of fine arts and director of museums, was responsible for the opening of a number of museums in Malta and Gozo and was also involved in the recovery of the painting of St Jerome by Caravaggio. His tactful contact with the thieves over a period of eight months resulted in the successful recovery.

He has restored works by Mattia Preti, Favray and other masters. His own paintings and sculptures are to be found in churches and with collectors in Malta and abroad.

The talk will include Caravaggio’s escape from Rome to Malta, always avoiding prosecution; the chiaroscuro effect of Caravaggio and the new interpretation of art; St Jerome and the Beheading of St John during the 1980s and 1990s; and restoration in Rome and Florence.

Guests are kindly asked to refrain from wearing stilettos or narrow heels in St John’s Co-Cathedral. A €10 donation payable to the Friends of the Manoel at PO Box 38, Valletta VLT 1000 will be appreciated.