Eleven oil on canvas paintings by Lazzaro Pisani, one of Malta’s most important artists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were donated by the artist’s daughter, the late Maria Pisani. The paintings in the Pisani Bequest are The Death of Abel, The Letter, St Dismas, the artist’s Self Portrait, Mrs Maria Concetta Pisani, Maria Pisani, Robbie Pisani, Cav. Paolo Bonici Mompalao, Lady Edeline Strickland, Mrs Gauci and a Pieta’. The first four paintings are generally considered to be among Pisani’s best works and are a clear testimony of his skill and inspiration. Apart from the paintings, Maria Pisani’s generosity also led her to institute a four-yearly bursary for promising young, Maltese artists. It is a fitting tribute that the award will be named the Lazzaro Pisani Prize after the artist himself. The competition prize will include a commemorative bronze metal and a diploma to be awarded during a commemorative ceremony held every fourth year to the best painting or sculpture by Maltese art students. A fully illustrated catalogue of the exhibition, with a study by art historian Lino Borg has been published by Heritage Malta and MidSea Books and is available from the National Museum of Fine Arts, Heritage Malta Head Office and leading bookshops. |
