Two paintings by Maltese Artist Giuseppe Briffa (1901-1987) have been restored and reinstated at San Ġwann Parish Church, revealed the BOV Foundation in a statement issued on Friday (today).

The artworks, The Immaculate Conception within the context of the fall of humanity and The Annunciation of the Virgin by the Archangel Gabriel, were unveiled during a visit by Ernest Agius, Chief Operations Officer at Bank of Valletta, representing the BOV Foundation. He was joined by Charles Azzopardi, Head CSR at the Bank, together with PrevArti founder and lead conservator Pierre Bugeja and Parish Priest Fr Bertrand Vella.

The restoration project was entrusted to PrevArti, which carried out a thorough conservation process to address flaking paint, surface grime, yellowed varnish, and structural weaknesses. The treatment included paint layer consolidation, delicate cleaning, removal of overpainting, and fine retouching, all of which helped revive the rich detail and luminosity of Briffa’s original compositions.

“These paintings are more than devotional pieces – they are cultural treasures,” said Mr Agius.

Mr Bugeja remarked on the value of preserving Mr Briffa’s legacy, noting that “These are historically and artistically significant works. Our aim was to respect the artist’s original vision while ensuring the paintings are structurally and visually sound for years to come.”

The Artist's work can be found in many churches across Malta and Gozo, including in the Church of Our Lady of Good Help in Kerċem, the church dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua in Għajnsielem, the Parish Church of Saint Leonard in Kirkop, and in the National Marian Sanctuary at Ta’ Pinu.