TS|3 Malta, 12-13 March 2014 Doc 6F-TS-45

European Regional Development Fund

The National Museum of Fine Arts An Overview

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The National Museum of Fine Arts An Overview

General Overview

Organigram

Senior Curator

Curator Modern and

Contemporary

Friends of the National Museum

of Fine Arts Volunteers

Curator Early Modern Art

Interns

(up to three at any given time)

One General Hands

History • Established in 1923 as a Fine Arts Section and subsequently built from scratch. • 1923 – 1938 Anti-Colonial and Historical - Two values that motivate the section’s acquisitions policy.

(Curator – Vincenzo Bonello) • 1938 – 1947 Consolidation and Conservation - Historical parameters continue to define the section’s

acquisition’s policy. (Curator – Antonio Sciortino) • 1947 – 1957 No Curator responsible for the collection. • 1957 – 1974 Conoisseurship – Collectionism is the predominant value. First abstract works are acquired in

the late 1960’s. Contemporary art works by Maltese artists were previously not represented in the collection (Curator John Cauchi – Assistant Curator Marius Zerafa)

• 1974

The Fine Arts Section becomes the National Museum of Fine Arts with its seat at Admiralty House

• 1974 – 1989

Contemporary and Outreach - Maltese Contemporary artists exhibit regularly and their works are integrated within the museum’s permanent display (Curator Marius Zerafa)

• 1990 - 2000

Academic and Conoisseur - First comprehensive Catalogue of paintings published (paintings).

(Curator Dominic Cutajar)

• 2000 - 2007

Contemporary Art and Services - Back office developem to include a library. Contemporary art and other exhibitions get significant upgrades (Curators Theresa & Dennis Vella).

The Collection

Paintings 40% of National Collection 80 % of collection on display Highlights Mattia Preti Collection Antoine Favray Collection Bellanti Collection Challenges Works of art in ministries and government departments s

Works on Paper 30% of National Collection 3 % of collection on permanent display Highlights Malta Turner Watercolour Edward Lear Collection Old Masters Challenges In-depth study (most works are unpublished\ unstudied )

Sculpture 5% of National Collection (Sculpture) 1 % of collection on display Highlights Melchiorre Cafa Antonio Sciortino collection Challenges Uneven representation of the history of Maltese sculpture

Maps 10% of National Collection 0 % of collection on permanent display Highlights Albert Ganado Map Collection Challenges Permanent display and greater access

Silver 1% of National Collection 100% of collection on permanent display Highlights Hospitallier Silver Challenges Research Integration within the museum’s storyline

Maiolica 12% of National Collection (Maiolica) 0 % of collection on permanent display Highlights Lo Sciuto Albarello Challenges Research Integration within the museum’s storyline

Furniture 1% of National Collection 100 % of collection on permanent display Highlights Maltese furniture Challenges Research Integration within the museum’s storyline

Applied Arts 1% of National Collection 100 % of collection on permanent display Highlights Edgar Parnis Bequest Challenges Research Integration within the museum’s storyline

Use of the Collection

Acquisitions 2007-2012

Contemporary Art Fund: 2010 - 12 Some 50 modern and contemporary artworks were acquired thanks to this fund. A number of lacunae were adressed and a photographic collection establised.

Old Masters Few acquisitions (not more than 5) were affected . These adressed glaring lacunae.

Donations 2007-2012

Donation in lieu for exhibition This system gurantees a definite rate of growth for the collection.

Donations Proper Still minimal

• NGAM shall strive to rethink, develop, preserve and exhibit a significant identity collection. It shall strive to make the past relevant and meaningful to contemporary human experience.

• NGAM shall strive to take a leadership role in Euromed-based

research and scholarship through its collections and broadly promote results across society and varied audiences.

• NGAM shall strive to empower debate in the arts and stimulate

identity regeneration across all levels of society. NGAM shall provide appropriate international , national, regional platforms where such a debate can constantly happen.

National Gallery of Art – Malta (NGAM)

The Collection - Way Forward ... •Broad access to collections •Collections to reflect the requirements of the National Educational Curriculum •Euro-med – Both International and Regional at the same time •Edutainment