The Conventual Church of the Annunciation & St. Dominic in Birgu is set to celebrate the completion of the restoration of an important work by one of Malta’s most celebrated modern artists, Emvin Cremona.

The restored painting, depicting Our Lady of the Rosary together with St. Dominic, is located in the Chapel of the Holy Rosary and the Blessed Sacrament of the Dominican Church in Birgu. The inauguration of the restoration will take place on Sunday, 23 August, at 7:30 p.m., at the church.

The painting has a particularly significant place in the history of the Dominican community and its confraternity in Birgu. In 1960, the Archconfraternity of the Most Holy Rosary of the Dominican Church of Birgu commissioned the renowned Maltese artist Emvin Cremona to produce the work for their chapel.

The commission came at an important moment in the history of the church. Following the devastation suffered during the Second World War, the Dominican Church in Birgu was rebuilt, and Cremona’s painting was intended to be ready for the opening of the new church.

More than six decades later, the work has undergone a careful restoration aimed at recovering the visual qualities intended by the artist and improving the painting’s overall legibility.

The restoration was carried out by Atelier Del Restauro, under the direction of Dame Ms. Valentina Lupo. The intervention addressed changes that had taken place on the surface of the painting over the years, particularly the deterioration and alteration of an earlier varnish layer.

According to Ms. Lupo, the examination of the painting revealed that “a previously applied varnish layer has altered over time, resulting in an uneven and inhomogeneous surface appearance, with certain passages presenting a matte finish while others appear noticeably glossy.”

A cleaning intervention was therefore undertaken to reduce and homogenise the varnish layer, while also removing accumulated surface dust and ingrained grime. The objective was to recover the intended chromatic balance of the work and restore the legibility of Cremona’s original palette.

The restoration provides an opportunity not only to appreciate the artistic qualities of Cremona’s work once again, but also to reflect on the cultural and religious heritage preserved within Birgu’s Dominican Church. The painting forms part of the devotional environment of the Chapel of the Holy Rosary and the Blessed Sacrament, linking the artistic legacy of the 20th-century Maltese artist with the centuries-old devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary promoted by the Dominican Order and its confraternities. Its restoration, made possible with the financial support of the Malta Arts Council, now ensures that this important piece of Birgu’s artistic and devotional heritage can continue to be appreciated by the community and future generations.

The faithful, members of the Birgu community, art lovers and all those interested in Malta’s cultural heritage are invited to attend the inauguration of the restored painting on Sunday, 23 August, at 7:30 p.m., at the Conventual Church of the Annunciation & St. Dominic in Birgu.