Exhibition raising funds for Our Lady of Victory Church underway

Pulchrior in Luce, an exhibition of paintings by Rossella Dalmas in aid of Din l-Art Helwa’s conservation work at Our Lady of Victory Church, Valletta’s oldest church, is currently underway.

Rossella Dalmas is an artist who places much importance on light – to the way light rests on objects. She also puts much thought into the choice of a title for her exhibitions and of the names of her paintings. ‘ Pulchrior in Luce’ (More beautiful in the light) is the Latin title she has given an entire exhibition of paintings dedicated to a year’s conservation activities at Our Lady Of Victory Church.

She chose this title because, as the conservators continue the gargantuan task of removing five centuries of grime from the church’s vaulted ceiling, its walls, crypt and artistic endowments, the eye is dazzled by the beauty that is exposed.

The exhibition, at Auberge d’Italie, was opened earlier this month by Din lArt Ħelwa executive president Simone Mizzi, who expressed DLH’s gratitude to Culture Minister Mario de Marco for making the gallery at the Auberge available and for the kind help offered by his assistants and staff.

She explained that, a year ago, the state entrusted Din l-Art Ħelwa with the care and conservation of Our Lady of Victory Church, Valletta’s first building, first church and first burial place. Copious funds are needed to carry out the conservation of the Erardi vaulted ceiling and all the works of art in this historical building.

Ms Mizzi thanked Rossella Dalmas for offering part of the takings from the sale of her paintings towards the costs of conservation. “It is a generous case of art coming to the rescue of art,” she said.

In an expert introductory speech, Judge Giovanni Bonello gave an appraisal of the artist’s present works and of her development in recent years. He began his talk with a touch of humour, referring to the fact that it was quite weird that an artist whose surname means darkness (Dalmas) should call her works “Pulchrior in Luce”. “Yet light,” he said, “is strikingly important in these paintings. Rossella Dalmas’s technique can be compared to the use of light by Vermeer.”

Pulchrior in Luce can be viewed at Auberge d’Italie in Merchants Street, Valletta from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and on Sunday mornings. More information is available from Din l-Art Ħelwa, tel: 2122 5952 or info@dinlarthelwa.org