Friday, 5 May 2017

Paintings by Emvin Cremona

The apse with St Publius in the middle.
After yesterday’s visit to the church of St Publius, we remain in the same church today and look upwards to admire the beautiful paintings of Emvin Cremona, depicting scenes from the life of the saint, especially as he welcomes St Paul to Malta after his shipwreck. These paintings were done between 1962 and 1972, a 10-year span during which time I was studying in the Minor and Major Seminary, just a few blocks away from the church. 
Part of the middle section of the ceiling.
The entire ceiling, including the apse, is covered with elegant depictions of St Publius and St Paul, besides other saints who wrote about them. Emvin Cremona painted a few other ceilings in churches in Malta, in particular the churches at Msida, Ghaxaq, Hamrun, two domes in Balzan, and other side altars at Zebbug, Gozo, Senglea, Vittoriosa, Burmarrad, Birkirkara, and Ta Pinu, Gozo where his paintings were transferred into mosaics. But for today enjoy his pleasant style in these 6 paintings from the church in Floriana.

3 comments:

  1. Father,
    I see "your" name (J.Cassar) at the bottom of one of these paintings! Story?
    Sandy in La Quinta

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    Replies
    1. That is the coat-of-arms of the family name Cassar, possibly someone to whom the artist dedicated that particular painting of St Gregory. I never noticed it - you have very good eyes.

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  2. Good eyes is right! What a treasure to find on a Cremona painting...

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