AX Group has announced the sponsorship of a conservation project involving three 17th-century paintings by Mattia Preti, located within the Chapel of Saint Peter ad Vincula at the Jesuits’ Church in Valletta.
The initiative was formally launched during an event attended by Owen Bonnici, alongside representatives from AX Group and the Jesuits’ Church Foundation.
The three paintings – Liberation of Saint Peter, The Martyrdom of Saint Peter, and The Meeting of Saints Peter and Paul before Martyrdom – form part of a Petrine cycle commissioned in 1662 by Pietro Rosselli and Alusietta Massa for their family chapel. The works depict key moments in the life and martyrdom of Saint Peter and have remained integral to the chapel’s historical and artistic context.
One of the paintings, Saints Peter and Paul Led to Martyrdom, on an lunette wall
The conservation works have been entrusted to the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation and will follow established conservation standards. The project will focus on preserving the material integrity of the paintings while improving their visual clarity, allowing them to continue being displayed in their original setting.
According to AX Group, the sponsorship represents an investment of over €130,000. Speaking at the launch, Denise Xuereb, Director of Construction and Development at AX Group, highlighted the importance of preserving artworks of historical significance to ensure their accessibility for future generations.
The initiative builds on AX Group’s previous involvement in the restoration of the Jesuits’ Church, which was carried out through AX Construction in collaboration with the Jesuits’ Church Foundation and the Restoration and Preservation Directorate. These works included structural repairs, architectural conservation, and the restoration of decorative elements across various parts of the church.
The Rosselli-Massa family’s legacy extends beyond the church. Their historic residence, Casa Rosselli-Massa, now houses Rosselli – AX Privilege, a boutique hotel restored by AX Construction. The group also supported the restoration of the family’s portraits, which are currently displayed within the property.
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Nicole Zammit
When she’s not writing articles at work or poetry at home, you’ll find her taking long walks in the countryside, pumping iron at the gym, caring for her farm animals, or spending quality time with family and friends. In short, she’s always on the go, drawing inspiration from the little things around her, and constantly striving to make the ordinary extraordinary.
