Publications
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A City under siege: depictions from the artists of war (FSKAA: October 2021)
Malcolm Borg, Denis Darmanin and Samantha Fabry
This research focuses on the paintings of Cole and Mainwaring of the City of Valletta. The paintings from World War II and the significant pictorial record these two war artists have bequeathed are vital in understanding the landscape of war. Essentially the works are a legacy to the British forces and ANZACS in Malta and fundamentally the works are a rich contribution to Valletta’s historic urban landscape at its most resilient (1943-1946). World War II, landscape of war, war artists, historic urban landscape (HUL), UNESCO, SCOPE “Socio-Cultural Organisations Promoting Heritage Experiences” (ERDF.05.113), Leslie James Cole (1910-1976), Geoffrey Mainwaring (1912–2000).
True Colours: analysing and interpreting the cupola paintings by Emvin Cremona and Aldo Micallef Grimaud: A post-restoration study (FSKAA: October 2021)
Dr Malcolm Borg and Fr Charles Vella
The document is a post-restoration report which is set in five sections. The first two sections consider the importance of the conservation work at the Church of St.Augustine’s Church in Valletta and the benefits of the RESTART2021 Fund which is supported by Arts Council Malta. This includes a report on the prioritisation of heritage@risk assets. The report reviews the historical and heritage values of the restored assets and interpretation objectives. The final section is a technical summary of the restoration programme.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355050037_True_Colours_analysing_and_interpreting_the_cupola_paintings_by_Emvin_Cremona_and_Aldo_Micallef_Grimaud_at_A_post-restoration_study
THE ICONOGRAPHY OF ST.AUGUSTINE IN THE MALTESE ISLANDS:TRACING THE EVOLUTION OF PROCESSIONAL AND TITULAR STATUES – Celebrating the return of the processional statue of St.Augustine to the Parish, August MMII. A post-restoration study. (FSKAA: August 2022)
Dr Malcolm Borg and Aaron Camilleri Cauchi
There are few available and traceable records of the introduction of the effigy of St.Augustine in the Maltese Islands. The records are the artefacts found in the Province’s collection, and the collection holds both pictorial and sculptural assets dating back to the 14th century. This study analyses the latest development in the local artistic contributions attached to the Saint. The post-conservation report follows through chronologically and stylistically on the various artworks. This evaluation of artistic works refers to European or, more specifically, Mediterranean sources. The Augustinian Order and its patrons were influenced by the politico-religio-cultural events, which are the foundations of the Islands’ chequered history.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363064754_A_post-restoration_study
The recessed altar: analysing the fresco decoration at St. Augustine’s Church Valletta (FSKAA: March 2023)
Dr Malcolm Borg and Fr Charles Vella
The publication is a post-restoration report which traces the discovery and conservation work on the recessed altar at the Church of St.Augustine in Valletta. It includes a section on the various methods for decoration used in the complex (1600-1800).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369624062_The_recessed_altar_analysing_the_fresco_decoration_at
Rebuilding a Lost Church: the Augustinian Church Dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help (October 2023)
Dr Malcolm Borg and Mr Denis Darmanin (co-writers Prof Saviour Formosa and Fr Charles Vella)
At the end of the Seven Years War (1756-1763), the Notizia Augustiniana Aurea was written. The anonymous chronicler was sketching arms and escutcheons of the church and tracing the history of the Augustinian Order in Malta. The European conflict that involved most of the princes and powers was fought globally in Europe, the Americas and Asia. These conflicts were resolved through the Treaty of Paris of 1763, which brought Britain, France, Spain and Portugal into agreement to restore territories gained to the original owners. Malta was not a contended territory and remained exclusively a vassal of the Kingdom of Sicily with a strong secular and religious administration under the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John. This study considers this micro-event in the global context and integrates multiple aspects of the historical urban landscape to understand Maltese history and geography better.