Home to some of Malta’s most significant Baroque artistic treasures, the Jesuits’ Church in Valletta is entering an important new chapter in the preservation of its cultural heritage. A major conservation programme involving three significant works by Mattia Preti at the Jesuits’ Church is now underway, marking an important milestone in the preservation of Malta’s artistic and cultural heritage. The conservation process is beginning with the main altarpiece, The Liberation of St Peter. Last week, the painting was carefully removed from its ornamental frame above the altar and temporarily positioned within the chapel. Following the necessary health and safety checks, members of the conservation team were harnessed in to safely access the artwork and carry out the removal.
The painting is currently undergoing preliminary studies and scientific analysis within the Jesuits’ Church. These initial investigations will allow the conservation team to assess the painting’s condition and gather information to inform the treatment that will follow. Once the on-site studies are complete, The Liberation of St Peter will be transferred to a specialist conservation workshop at St John’s Co-Cathedral, where its conservation will continue in a controlled environment.
The conservation programme will be carried out in phases, with each painting undergoing preliminary studies and scientific analysis on site before being transferred for conservation. The Liberation of St Peter is expected to be transferred for conservation in September 2026, with reinstallation anticipated in May 2027. Conservation of The Martyrdom of St Peter will follow, with works scheduled between March and December 2027, while The Meeting of Saints Peter and Paul before Martyrdom is scheduled to follow from November 2027, with its conservation expected to be completed by November 2028. The phased approach will allow the specialist team to dedicate the necessary time and attention to each individual artwork, while ensuring that the conservation treatment responds to the specific condition and findings of each painting.
The Jesuits’ Church in Valletta is home to an important collection of artistic and architectural heritage, including three significant works by Mattia Preti housed within the Rosselli-Massa Chapel. Commissioned in the early 1660s by Pietro Rosselli and his wife, Aloisia Massa, the paintings form an important part of the chapel’s history and artistic legacy. As part of its ongoing commitment to the preservation of Malta’s cultural heritage, AX Group is proudly sponsoring their conservation, continuing the historic connection between the Rosselli-Massa legacy and Rosselli – AX Privilege, located directly opposite the church.
The conservation project is being undertaken by the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, whose specialist conservation team brings extensive experience in the study and conservation of works by Mattia Preti. The project will involve detailed research, scientific analysis and conservation of each painting, with the approach guided by the condition and findings revealed throughout the process. The intervention will follow modern conservation principles, with a focus on minimal intervention and the use of reversible materials where appropriate.
The conservation project forms part of AX Group’s wider commitment to safeguarding Malta’s heritage and ensuring that these important works can continue to be appreciated within their historic setting for generations to come.
