An oil painting by renowned Maltese modernist Giorgio Preca was formally donated to the Malta Society of Arts (MSA) at the society’s historic premises, Palazzo de La Salle in Valletta, las month.
The work was presented in person by the artist’s son, Massimo Preca, who travelled to Malta specifically for the occasion. The painting, titled Yellow Vase, Sauce Boat and Bottle, was received by the MSA’s acting president, Roderick Camilleri.
The donation follows the MSA’s recent exhibition Still Life, Life Still, which presented works by Giorgio Preca alongside contemporary artist Ryan Falzon. Several of Preca’s paintings were exhibited during the show, which was curated by Giulia Privitelli, reaffirming his enduring relevance within Malta’s artistic landscape.
Massimo Preca expressed his satisfaction at entrusting the work to the MSA.
“It gives us great joy to donate this painting to an organisation of such historical significance as the Malta Society of Arts, of which my father was also a member,” he says.
He thanked the MSA for the well-attended exhibition held in August and September, and said he was pleased to entrust this work to “an institution that has consistently supported and celebrated my father’s contribution to modern art”.
Camilleri welcomed the gift on behalf of the society, emphasising its cultural significance.
“Giorgio Preca was one of the leading pioneers of early 20th-century modern art in Malta, and he occupies a foundational place in the development of Maltese modernism,” he noted.
“We are honoured to welcome this important work into our collection, and we will remain committed to preserving it and presenting it with the utmost care. This donation also highlights the significance of Still Life, Life Still, and our rewarding collaboration with Massimo and his team sets a positive precedent for future partnerships.”
Painted in 1963, Yellow Vase, Sauce Boat and Bottle (oil on canvas, 60 × 50 cm), forms part of a series of still-lifes in which Preca expanded his exploration of abstraction. Through simplified, distilled forms, the objects take on an almost metaphysical presence. The ceramics were chosen from those the artist habitually selected for his compositions, serving as both representational subjects and as vehicles for autonomous aesthetic expression.
A restrained yet expressive palette enhances the sculptural quality of the objects, while the deep-toned background heightens their luminosity. The interplay of light and form lends the work a strong sense of plasticity even while maintaining a deliberate two-dimensionality. The painting was first exhibited at Galleria Stagni in Rome in 1964.
Giorgio Preca, born in Valletta in 1909, is widely recognised as a pioneer of Maltese modernism. After studying at the Malta Government School of Art and the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, he held his first exhibition at the Auberge d’Italie, later the National Museum of Fine Arts. During his time in Rome, he exhibited alongside leading figures such as Balla, Severini and Afro.
A longstanding member of the Malta Society of Arts, having joined in 1939, he regularly participated in its exhibitions. His groundbreaking 1948 exhibition at The Phoenicia Malta is considered by many art historians to mark the beginning of Maltese modernism.
In 1952, Preca became president of the Modern Art Group and honorary president of Atelier ’56, and in 1953, he was elected president of the Malta Cultural Institute. He introduced a modern approach to religious imagery in Malta and continued pushing his style towards surrealism and abstraction, notably in works such as his Alien Series.
His international impact is reflected in exhibitions at the Venice Biennale (1958) and at the Commonwealth Institute Art Gallery in London (1966).
Preca remained dedicated to artistic experimentation throughout his life, making an enduring contribution to Malta’s artistic heritage.
“This donation not only enriches the Malta Society of Arts’ growing collection, but also strengthens its ongoing commitment to safeguarding Malta’s artistic legacy,” Camilleri added.
“By welcoming this important work by Giorgio Preca, the MSA continues to honour the artists who shaped the country’s cultural identity while fostering new dialogues between past and present for generations to come.”
For more details about the Malta Society of Arts, visit www.artsmalta.org or www.facebook.com/maltasocietyofarts.
