The Triptych of the Madonna del Soccorso, which dates back to the 1490s, portrays the Madonna del Soccorso in the central panel with St Peter and St James the Elder on either side, as well as Annunciation and Golgotha scenes in the panels’ top cusps. This unsigned triptych was formerly attributed to artists Giovannello d’Itala and Salvo d’Antonio. However, studies led researcher Dr Charlene Vella to attribute this triptych to Antonio de Saliba.

Having reached Malta before the arrival of the Knights of the Order of St John in 1530, these three paintings highlight that the islands’ artistic renaissance predated the arrival of the Knights, making the Triptych of the Madonna del Soccorso an important part of Malta’s artistic heritage. Recognising the significance of this work of art, in 2018, the Malta Airport Foundation supported the research, conservation and restoration work carried out on the triptych.

Besides the diagnostic tests which provided information on the make-up of the paintings, the type of wood employed and the pigments and binders used, the triptych was also scanned in 3D. While 3D-scanning had been carried out locally on sculptures and
archaeological sites, this triptych was the first painting to be assessed in this manner in Malta.

The restored Triptych of the Madonna del Soccorso is now displayed at the Mdina Cathedral Museum, with the original gilded late Gothic framework presented in the form of a frosted sticker placed onto protective glass.

“This painting suffered traumatically in the past, resulting in the loss of several sections of the original paint layer, especially on the mantle. It was overpainted by restorers in the past, which was due to the lack of resources at the time. The funding provided by the Malta Airport Foundation enabled us to use technology to carry out our research in a more sensitive manner, and better understand the techniques that the artist used to produce this painting. This has led to us bringing the work of art back to a state as close to the original as possible. All interventions have now been documented and will be made available for future restorers studying the painting.”

– Dr Charlene Vella, Senior Lecturer, Department of Art and Art History, University of Malta

 

Read More about the triptych of the Madonna del Soccorso:

The Malta Airport Foundation supports Conservation and Restoration work on a Renaissance Triptych