Roman Baroque Sculture for the Knights of Malta

This book, now in its second revised edition, studies the mechanics of patronage of Roman Baroque sculpture produced for the Knights of the Order of St John and discusses the extent of such patronage together with the artistic and historical importance of the works commissioned. Leading artists such as Alessandro Algardi, Ciro Ferri and Melchiorre Caf are thoroughly examined and new attributions to others are made. Moreover, Sciberras research sheds light on the lesser known aspects of the artistic liaisons between Malta and Rome, on who took care of the Orders artistic affairs in Rome and on how these works traveled to Malta. The book divides the sculptural works of art into three categories: Those which glorified the Orders patron St John the Baptist, the funerary monuments of the Grand Masters, and those made for the service and adoration of the Eucharist. Roman Baroque Sculpture for the Knights of Malta is an outstanding work of intense research which provides exhaustive detailed information. It is also a tribute to Maltas most magnificent artistic period and to an Order that made it possible. The book is published in collaboration with the Department of History of the University of Malta.

Dr Keith Sciberras Ph.D. is Senior Lecturer in History of Art at the University of Malta. His field of specialisation is baroque art. He has published numerous works and papers on baroque painting and sculpture, artistic patronage and Caravaggio. This book is largely based on his Ph.D.