It houses a collection of works by Maltese and foreign artists mainly representing the major European artistic styles. The museum was inaugurated on 7 May 1974, and it was located at Admiralty House, an 18th-century palace which was formerly the official residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet. The museum was closed down on 2 October 2016. In 2018 the national collection of fine arts was moved and put on display in the new National Community Art Museum, MUŻA (from the Maltese acronym Mużew Nazzjonali tal-Arti), located at Auberge d’Italie in Valletta.[1]
Its collection had previously formed part of the National Museum at Auberge de Provence. Following the split, the museum at the auberge was left with archaeological artifacts, and it was renamed the National Museum of Archaeology. The museum was managed by Heritage Malta.[2]
National Museum of Fine Arts (1974–2016)
Interior of the National Museum of Fine Arts in 2016
The National Museum of Fine Arts, at the Admiralty House, was inaugurated by Minister of Education and Culture Agatha Barbara on 7 May 1974.[3]
In 2013, plans began to be made to move the museum from Admiralty House to Auberge d'Italie.[4] In September 2014, it was announced that the move will occur and the new museum would be called MUŻA (from the Maltese acronym Mużew Nazzjonali tal-Arti).[5] The museum at Admiralty House closed down on 2 October 2016, and the new museum opened in 2018 as one of the projects of Valletta's title of European Capital of Culture.[6]
The museum saw 30,000 patrons every day in 2012 and the relocation aim to increase the number of visitors.[7]
The museum was housed at the Admiralty House, a palace in Valletta, originally built in the 16th century as a residence for the knight Fra Jean de Soubiran dit Arafat. The present building dates back to 1761–63, when it was reconstructed in the Baroque style for the Portuguese knight Fra Raimondo de Sousa y Silva. From 1821 to 1961, the building was the official residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, hence the name Admiralty House.[9][10]
Admiralty House is located at South Street in Valletta. Apart from the museum itself, the area contains several fine historical palaces dating from the times of the Order of St. John that are now used by government ministries and departments. It is also well known for its wine bars and cafes, and views of the city's grid-shaped streets.[2]
The museum housed the major part of the national collection of Malta. The collection began in 1923 when the first fine arts curator, Vincenzo Bonello, embarked on establishing a collection within what was then called the National Museum. Bonello acquired numerous works of excellent quality on the local art market, and in London and Italy. Most were purchased at a time when prices in the art market where still within reach of the museum's modest budget. Public spirited individuals and organizations also left significant bequests.
The permanent display included the largest collection of paintings by the Southern Italian Baroque artist Mattia Preti (1613–1699), an Italian Knight of the Order of Malta who also contributed to the transformation of the interior of St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. This, together with a fine and rare collection of antique maps, represented one of the strengths of the collection.
The collection also included the works of two outstanding Maltese sculptors, Melchiorre Gafà (1636–1667) and Antonio Sciortino (1879–1947), and a noteworthy group of Maltese landscapes. The Grand Harbour of Malta and its environs is the subject of a Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851) watercolour. Other works by Edward Lear (1812–1888), Louis Ducros (1748–1810) and local artists representing the same subject were also on display.[10]
Furniture and silverware
The museum exhibited a collection of Maltese furniture and silverware, as well as majolica jars mainly of Sicilian production. Many of the jars were in use at the Sacra Infermeria, the Hospital of the Order of St John.[12] Ecclesiastical silverware was also on display, including a rare fifteenth century chalice of Parisian workmanship.
Temporary exhibitions
The museum had a very active calendar of temporary exhibitions mainly by Maltese artists. Museum curated exhibitions have included the following:
Postage Stamp Artwork: Emvin Cremona (1919–1987) – Shaping a Modern Identity in Malta’s Philatelic Heritage (September–October 2010) showed original stamp artwork and graphic designs produced by Emvin Cremona, most of which were put on display for the first time.
Pictures of the Floating World – Ukiyo-e Prints from the National Collection (December 2009) exhibited original Japanese Ukiyo-e from the national collection.
Victor Pasmore in Malta (December 2008 – January 2009) exhibited abstract works by the international British artist Victor Pasmore from the museum collection and the Central Bank of Malta collection.
The Maria Pasani Bequest (January – March 2008) exhibited eleven paintings by the Maltese artist Lazzaro Pisani donated by his daughter, Maria Pasani.
For the collection of arts read: Espnoza Rodriguez, Antonio (undated). The Provenance of the Paintings on Permanent Display at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Melita Historica. p. 97-123.
The Cain and Abel in the National Museum : the case for Giuseppe Vermiglio
References
^"Updated: New museum for contemporary artists opened in Valletta - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
^ ab. Heritage Malta. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015.
^Guillaumier, Alfie (2005). Bliet u Rħula Maltin. Klabb Kotba Maltin. p. 938. ISBN99932-39-40-2.
^Cooke, Patrick (21 November 2013). . Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016.
^. Heritage Malta. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016.
^. Times of Malta. 29 September 2016. Archived from the original on 30 September 2016.
^Grima, Noel (17 November 2013). . The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 20 November 2013.
^. Times of Malta. 10 November 2018. Archived from the original on 30 November 2019.
^Denaro, Victor F. (1963). (PDF). Melita Historica. 3 (4): 16–18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2016.
^ abGatt, Oliver (2008). . p. 41. ISBN978-99957-20-05-6. Archived from the original on 2017-09-03. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
^Heritage Malta, National Museum of Fine Arts, euromuse.net, retrieved 4 February 2011
External links
Official website
Media related to MUŻA at Wikimedia Commons
April 29, 2023
muŻa, museum, located, auberge, italie, valletta, malta, formerly, located, admiralty, house, between, 1974, 2016, when, known, national, museum, fine, arts, maltese, mużew, nazzjonali, arti, mużew, nazzjonali, artifaçade, auberge, italie, 2020former, namenati. MUZA is an art museum located at Auberge d Italie in Valletta Malta It was formerly located at Admiralty House between 1974 and 2016 when it was known as the National Museum of Fine Arts Maltese Muzew Nazzjonali tal Arti MUZAMuzew Nazzjonali tal ArtiFacade of Auberge d Italie in 2020Former nameNational Museum of Fine ArtsEstablished10 November 2018 2018 11 10 LocationAuberge d Italie Valletta MaltaCoordinates35 53 47 N 14 30 41 E 35 89639 N 14 51139 E 35 89639 14 51139 Coordinates 35 53 47 N 14 30 41 E 35 89639 N 14 51139 E 35 89639 14 51139TypeArt museumWebsiteOfficial websiteIt houses a collection of works by Maltese and foreign artists mainly representing the major European artistic styles The museum was inaugurated on 7 May 1974 and it was located at Admiralty House an 18th century palace which was formerly the official residence of the Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet The museum was closed down on 2 October 2016 In 2018 the national collection of fine arts was moved and put on display in the new National Community Art Museum MUZA from the Maltese acronym Muzew Nazzjonali tal Arti located at Auberge d Italie in Valletta 1 Contents 1 History 1 1 National collection prior to 1974 1 2 National Museum of Fine Arts 1974 2016 1 3 MUZA since 2018 2 Location 3 Collections 3 1 Fine arts 3 2 Furniture and silverware 3 3 Temporary exhibitions 4 See also 5 Further reading 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditNational collection prior to 1974 Edit Its collection had previously formed part of the National Museum at Auberge de Provence Following the split the museum at the auberge was left with archaeological artifacts and it was renamed the National Museum of Archaeology The museum was managed by Heritage Malta 2 National Museum of Fine Arts 1974 2016 Edit Interior of the National Museum of Fine Arts in 2016 The National Museum of Fine Arts at the Admiralty House was inaugurated by Minister of Education and Culture Agatha Barbara on 7 May 1974 3 In 2013 plans began to be made to move the museum from Admiralty House to Auberge d Italie 4 In September 2014 it was announced that the move will occur and the new museum would be called MUZA from the Maltese acronym Muzew Nazzjonali tal Arti 5 The museum at Admiralty House closed down on 2 October 2016 and the new museum opened in 2018 as one of the projects of Valletta s title of European Capital of Culture 6 The museum saw 30 000 patrons every day in 2012 and the relocation aim to increase the number of visitors 7 MUZA since 2018 Edit Interior of MUZA in 2019 MUZA opened on 10 November 2018 8 Location Edit Admiralty House The museum was housed at the Admiralty House a palace in Valletta originally built in the 16th century as a residence for the knight Fra Jean de Soubiran dit Arafat The present building dates back to 1761 63 when it was reconstructed in the Baroque style for the Portuguese knight Fra Raimondo de Sousa y Silva From 1821 to 1961 the building was the official residence of the Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet hence the name Admiralty House 9 10 Admiralty House is located at South Street in Valletta Apart from the museum itself the area contains several fine historical palaces dating from the times of the Order of St John that are now used by government ministries and departments It is also well known for its wine bars and cafes and views of the city s grid shaped streets 2 Collections Edit The Turner watercolour displayed in the museum Fine arts Edit The museum housed the major part of the national collection of Malta The collection began in 1923 when the first fine arts curator Vincenzo Bonello embarked on establishing a collection within what was then called the National Museum Bonello acquired numerous works of excellent quality on the local art market and in London and Italy Most were purchased at a time when prices in the art market where still within reach of the museum s modest budget Public spirited individuals and organizations also left significant bequests The permanent display included the largest collection of paintings by the Southern Italian Baroque artist Mattia Preti 1613 1699 an Italian Knight of the Order of Malta who also contributed to the transformation of the interior of St John s Co Cathedral in Valletta This together with a fine and rare collection of antique maps represented one of the strengths of the collection The works of other artists on display included Guido Reni 1575 1642 the Caravaggisti Valentin de Boulogne 1591 1632 Giuseppe Ribera 1591 1662 and Matthias Stom 1600 1652 as well as Carlo Maratta 1625 1713 and Bernardo Strozzi 1581 1644 Works by Dutch French and British artists were also on permanent display 11 The collection also included the works of two outstanding Maltese sculptors Melchiorre Gafa 1636 1667 and Antonio Sciortino 1879 1947 and a noteworthy group of Maltese landscapes The Grand Harbour of Malta and its environs is the subject of a Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775 1851 watercolour Other works by Edward Lear 1812 1888 Louis Ducros 1748 1810 and local artists representing the same subject were also on display 10 Furniture and silverware Edit The museum exhibited a collection of Maltese furniture and silverware as well as majolica jars mainly of Sicilian production Many of the jars were in use at the Sacra Infermeria the Hospital of the Order of St John 12 Ecclesiastical silverware was also on display including a rare fifteenth century chalice of Parisian workmanship Temporary exhibitions Edit The museum had a very active calendar of temporary exhibitions mainly by Maltese artists Museum curated exhibitions have included the following Postage Stamp Artwork Emvin Cremona 1919 1987 Shaping a Modern Identity in Malta s Philatelic Heritage September October 2010 showed original stamp artwork and graphic designs produced by Emvin Cremona most of which were put on display for the first time Pictures of the Floating World Ukiyo e Prints from the National Collection December 2009 exhibited original Japanese Ukiyo e from the national collection Victor Pasmore in Malta December 2008 January 2009 exhibited abstract works by the international British artist Victor Pasmore from the museum collection and the Central Bank of Malta collection The Maria Pasani Bequest January March 2008 exhibited eleven paintings by the Maltese artist Lazzaro Pisani donated by his daughter Maria Pasani See also EditList of museums in MaltaFurther reading EditList of paintings on permanent display For the collection of arts read Espnoza Rodriguez Antonio undated The Provenance of the Paintings on Permanent Display at the National Museum of Fine Arts Melita Historica p 97 123 The Cain and Abel in the National Museum the case for Giuseppe VermiglioReferences Edit Updated New museum for contemporary artists opened in Valletta The Malta Independent www independent com mt Retrieved 2019 05 16 a b National Museum of Fine Arts Heritage Malta Archived from the original on 5 January 2015 Guillaumier Alfie 2005 Bliet u Rħula Maltin Klabb Kotba Maltin p 938 ISBN 99932 39 40 2 Cooke Patrick 21 November 2013 Museum will move to Auberge d Italie Times of Malta Archived from the original on 23 June 2016 About MUZA Heritage Malta Archived from the original on 23 June 2016 Last chance to visit Fine Arts Museum at Admiralty House Times of Malta 29 September 2016 Archived from the original on 30 September 2016 Grima Noel 17 November 2013 The Fine Arts Museum saga comes full circle The Malta Independent Archived from the original on 20 November 2013 Fine arts museum Muza officially inaugurated Times of Malta 10 November 2018 Archived from the original on 30 November 2019 Denaro Victor F 1963 Yet more houses in Valletta PDF Melita Historica 3 4 16 18 Archived from the original PDF on 16 April 2016 a b Gatt Oliver 2008 Valletta City of the Knights p 41 ISBN 978 99957 20 05 6 Archived from the original on 2017 09 03 Retrieved 2017 05 26 http www ep liu se ecp 064 024 ecp64024 pdf bare URL PDF Heritage Malta National Museum of Fine Arts euromuse net retrieved 4 February 2011External links EditOfficial website Media related to MUZA at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title MUZA amp oldid 1106965820 National Museum of Fine Arts 1974 2016, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
