Housed at the Chapel of the MSA’s headquarters Palazzo de La Salle, the painting titled Sacred Heart of Jesus will be restored by PrevArti.
The HSBC Malta Foundation is supporting the Malta Society of Arts (MSA) in the restoration of Anton Inglott’s painting Sacred Heart of Jesus, an important work of Maltese modern art housed at the Society’s historic headquarters in Valletta.
Anton Inglott (1915–1945) is regarded as one of the foremost artists of his generation, credited with introducing modern conceptions and techniques into Malta’s art scene before his untimely death at the age of 30. His works are rare and highly valued, making the restoration of the Sacred Heart an important step in safeguarding a vital part of the nation’s cultural identity.
The conservation project is being led by specialist conservators PrevArti, who will undertake a full process of documentation, cleaning, structural repairs and aesthetic reintegration of both the painting and its decorative frame. Tests have shown that the painting has been affected by yellowed varnish, surface dirt, fly specks, and past retouchings, while the frame bears splits in the wood and layers of overpainting. The restoration will carefully remove these alterations, stabilise the materials, and reapply protective coatings, with the frame’s original gilding reinstated using pure gold leaf.
Founded in 1852, the Malta Society of Arts is the country’s oldest institution for the promotion of art, crafts, and culture. The organisation continues to be a hub for exhibitions, courses, and creative development, while also serving as custodian of important works such as Inglott’s Sacred Heart.
Glenn Bugeja, Head of Corporate Sustainability at HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., comments: “This is such an important initiative. The restoration of Anton Inglott’s Sacred Heart is not only about conserving a work of art but also about protecting a piece of Malta’s modern cultural history. It is encouraging to see this project off to a strong start, and we are proud that the HSBC Malta Foundation can contribute to its success.”
Roderick Camilleri, Acting President of the Malta Society of Arts, adds: “We are delighted to receive the support of the HSBC Malta Foundation for the restoration of this important work. This piece is a unique standout among sacred artworks from Malta’s early modern period, and conserving it is a responsibility we take very seriously. With this project we are not only preserving a valuable piece of Maltese heritage but also ensuring that the public can continue to experience and be inspired by it for years to come.”
Once the restoration is complete, the painting will be exhibited to the public at the Malta Society of Arts premises in Valletta, reinforcing the Society’s role as a guardian of Malta’s cultural heritage and as a space where the public can engage directly with the nation’s artistic treasures.
