A new book by the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu documents the entire restoration and conservation process carried out on the beloved 400-year old painting of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu four years ago, along with the history of the same Sanctuary and the painting itself.

The hardbound book – The Prodigious Altarpiece of the Madonna Ta’ Pinu – contains 128 full-colour pates, with more than 160 images. The photography and design is by Daniel Cilia.

After commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Perugino painting through a Marian Year in 2019, the Diocese of Gozo and the same Sanctuary decided to carry out the much needed restoration project of the painting, to so it can be enjoyed again in its original beauty.

This was undertaken in the midst of Covid by the firm Atelier del Restauro, and in June 2020 the painting was placed back in the original place of the chapel from where the Madonna called Karmni Grima and Frangisk Portelli in 1883.Edited by Don Gerard Buhagiar, the new publication collects the contribution of 7 authors who in one way or another touched the conservation process: the historian Dr. Joseph Bezzina, Rector Rev. Gerard Buhagiar, Marie Camilleri and Roslyn DeBattista from Heritage Malta, Dr. Sandro Debono who was the project consultant when it comes to the History of Art, as well as Valentina Lupo and Maria Grazia Zenzani from the firm Atelier del Restauro.

The book also contains two introductions by Cardinal Mario Grech and the Bishop of Gozo Anton Teuma.

At the book launch, which took place in the Hall of the Sanctuary on the Saturday morning, Bishop Teuma thanked those who worked on this project, saying, “once again you have revealed the splendour that time could have covered and blurred.”

He recalled that the history of this priceless picture is not only one of art, but above all of faith, because it did and still does, arouse great devotion among the Gozitans and Maltese.

He wished that both the restoration work carried out on it and this publication serve to further encourage the faith of our people, when more than ever the Church needs the Mother of God.”

Some of the book’s contributors also spoke, singing the original Ave Maria by Mr Antoine Mercieca and the Hymn of the Marian Year by Joe Formosa. Antoine accompanied the soprano Rosabelle Bianchi on the piano, with Noemi Portelli on the flute.

The book, priced at €30, is available to purchase from the Sanctuary and book shops.

Photos: Ta’ Pinu National Shrine

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