A week in Malta
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 2:27 pm
The thing about foreign holidays, is that invariably we find the odd gem when trying to find sanctuary from the blistering heat.
My trip to Malta turned up quite a few in the shape of churches and Cathedrals. Its not totally true that I venture inside just to sheild from the sun. I love them anyway.
I went to St John's Cathedral in Valletta. For over 200 years an ordinary church, transformed in the 17th century, through donations from the Knights of St john, to what is now a magnificent example of opulent High Baroque art.
However one feels about the morality of the church and its benefactors in the way they channelled such huge quantities of money to enrich a church, while all around had nothing, you cant be anything but stunned by such breathtaking beauty.
The inlaid marble floor is precious along with the lapus Lazuli high alter and painted barrel vault ceilings - oil paint direct onto the stone.
What struck me when studying the ceilings - which told in six "episodes" the story of St John the Baptist - was the two figures on each side, at the bottom of each ceiling panel. Each figure was given a three dimensional quality by painting a shadow that encroached on the gold leafed columns that seperated each painting. I imagine this trompe l'oeil paint effect is quite common but the effect was astoundingly real.
I'll try to post some photographs when I can
My trip to Malta turned up quite a few in the shape of churches and Cathedrals. Its not totally true that I venture inside just to sheild from the sun. I love them anyway.
I went to St John's Cathedral in Valletta. For over 200 years an ordinary church, transformed in the 17th century, through donations from the Knights of St john, to what is now a magnificent example of opulent High Baroque art.
However one feels about the morality of the church and its benefactors in the way they channelled such huge quantities of money to enrich a church, while all around had nothing, you cant be anything but stunned by such breathtaking beauty.
The inlaid marble floor is precious along with the lapus Lazuli high alter and painted barrel vault ceilings - oil paint direct onto the stone.
What struck me when studying the ceilings - which told in six "episodes" the story of St John the Baptist - was the two figures on each side, at the bottom of each ceiling panel. Each figure was given a three dimensional quality by painting a shadow that encroached on the gold leafed columns that seperated each painting. I imagine this trompe l'oeil paint effect is quite common but the effect was astoundingly real.
I'll try to post some photographs when I can
