Art-Models
JOHN SCERRI
CHURCHES AND CHAPELS OF MALTA AND GOZO
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Our Churches and Chapels in art
In this chapter it is not my intent to extol the numerous pieces of art that exist in the churches and chapels of the Maltese islands. Granted that books have been written and whole web sites created about Paintings, Titulars, Statues and Sculptures that these Christian temples can boast about, but this is beyond my scope.

The idea here is to examine different aspects of how other people look at these same temples from the outside as Holy buildings, that is how individuals Paint their images, make models of them and how they are presented to us through philately.

There are different media artists and hobbyists use among which are: water colours, oils, wood, cardboard, foam and even matchsticks just to mention some. Most of the representations are really artistic, some may be whimsical and some the fruit of a lot of patience on the part of hobbyists. I am sure there are more than what I will present here, but I hope this will be a good cross section.

ALL IMAGES BELOW ARE COPYRIGHT OF THE ARTISTS AND OWNERS.
Paintings
A special calendar of Malta was being sold a few decades ago. It was not made up of general views but of water colour paintings of wayside chapels done by JOSEPH CASSAR of Hamrun who happened to be a leading photographer too with a good eye for art. Here is the set:
St.Mary - Birkirkara Conception - San Giljan St.Matthew - Maqluba
Immaculate Conception - Benghisa Parish Church - Kerchem
Cathedral - Mdina St.Paul - Rabat St.Roque - Mdina
Tax-Xerri - Rabat Co-Cathedral - Valletta Visitation - Wied Qirda
Sometimes it is the rustic appearance of a Chapel that attracts painters. Here are three different paintings of the same chapel at Birmiftuh.
It's the historic significance that comes out in a painting sometimes. This titular painting at the 'Ta' Hamet' church in Gozo shows the church itself at the time the painting was done. The church was still minus its belfries. Far Right.
Again, this Painting of the Luqa Parish Church shows how it stood at the turn of the century.
On to more recent times, a Maltese ex-patriate EDWARD ABELA who lives in Markham Ontario, produces fine paintings depicting different subjects. If one visits his web site: http://www.edwardabela.com/ one can see that he has not forgotten his native land. Below is a set of his works showing different churches and chapels around the Maltese Islands.
Among the paintings of the young artist CEDRIC GALEA PIROTTA who lives in Malta and who uses mainly oils and acrilic as media, are some which depict Maltese and Gozitan churches and chapels. With his permission I am presenting the selection below. As can be seen from these examples, he brings out weathered Malta limestone beautifully. His website can be found at: http://www.cgp71.com/
JACQUELINE AGIUS is an online friend of mine part of the group Friends of Maltese Chapels, an offshoot of the website Kappelli Maltin. Her work is in watercolors and brings to life the beauty of our rural Chapels. Here is a selection of her work. Her website can be found at: http://www.jacquelineagius.tk/
Among recent friends and artists made through Facebook groups is Maris Zammit who among other watercolour works, has pictures of Maltese Churches and Wayside Chapels. Here is a selection of these and a link to her own website: http://www.mariszammit.com/
Guzeppi Theuma is also an artist friend of mine who I met on Facebook. He makes exquisite drawings of Maltese Chapels. Here is a selection:
Philately
One can expound most of the history of the Maltese islands through their Postage Stamps. Here is a selection of some that depict Churches and Chapels. Here too, we can follow Historical facts. Please examine each and try to guess which temple it is and where it is situated, after all we have gone through the extensive chapter about Towns and Villages hopefully showing All of the buildings depicted.
On the Right is a stamp issued by the Vatican, showing the Sanctuary at Ta' Pinu, Gozo. It is one of a set which depicts Pope John Paul II near each Sanctuary he visited in different countries.

Below is a thematic set of five Maltese stamps showing Wayside Chapels.
Another set by Malta Post depicting Maltese and Gozitan Churches issued in 2007. Note the dual pricing close to the Euro changeover.
Models
Artists and hobbyists have from time to time made three dimensional models of Maltese churches. The scope, finish, and media used varies.

A special hobby group with a specific subject of Churches, statues and church paraphernalia conducts its own shows and activities. Members even produce models of churches made out of cardboard or matchsticks.

Other individuals are more specific in style and media using plaster of paris, wood or local limestone for their models.

Below is a variety of models from different sources with details about artist and media used where available. Again I will not specify which particular building is shown ( they happen to be mostly Parish Churches), that I will leave to you to guess. (I do have the details for anyone interested)
All these four were made out of matchsticks, the first and the two on the Left by members of the Hobby club. The one far Left is by Joseph Farrugia while the one on the Left is by Paul Piscopo.
I have no information about the one on the Left except the name of the village in Gozo.

The one on the right was made around 50 years ago by a member of the Hobby club out of cardboard and plastic foam among other media.
This one in the two pictures on the Right is very rustic and is a permanent fixture in the backyard of a village whose Parish Church it depicts. It seems the artist has used local stone pieces held together by cement.
Another simpler one over a farmhouse doorway is in the form of a niche complete with the statue of a Saint, probably St.Joseph. Picture on the Right.
Left. Unknown media. Artist George Pellegrini Petit
Four pieces by Anton Said probably made out of Plaster.
On the Right a really authentic model of an obviously well known church. It is made out of the original limestone like the one used on the real thing. The one below it is a model of the church of the Ursuline sisters of Gwardamangia.
Left: Bas-relief carved out of wood and then painted over. The church is at the harbour waterfront and dedicated to the 'Flight to Egypt'. Artist Jenny Cook.
Right: Another wooden bas-relief, this time of the facade of the church of St.Paul's in Valletta.
Left: Set wooden models of chapels in an exhibition in Hamrun in 2012.
Two models of Our Lady of Grace Parish Church of Zabbar.

Left: Done in Plastics.

Right: Done in Matchsticks.
Edible Art
The facade of the St Cajetan Parish Church of Hamrun made in chocolate for the occasion of the Chocolate festival held in Hamrun in 2010.