Restoring a masterpiece

The main painting in my childhood church of St Julian’s has recently undergone a thorough restoration, which was unveiled a week ago. The painting represents St Julian himself standing in a forest, with a deer next to him, looking majestically ahead. The restoration revealed also a dog looking at the saint and a few birds on a tree. Above the saint there is an angel holding a small banner saying ‘Redemit te Charitas’ which mean ‘Charity has redeemed you.' This is the work of a Sicilian artist Alberto Catalano who lived between 1560 and 1630, and he was active during the last part of the Renaissance and the early period of the Baroque era. 

This oil painting of St Julian is dated as 1596, and has been restored at least twice before, the last time being by Giuseppe Cefail, who dates his restoration on August 21, 1894. He most probably enlarged the entire painting by a few inches on each side. The recent restoration was done by Amy Sciberras. It can now be enjoyed by everyone as it found its permanent place behind the main altar.