Description of the attraction
The Valletta National Art Gallery is located on South Street right in the center of the capital. It occupies a historic mansion, commissioned by one of the Order's knights in the 16th century.
This palace is considered one of the first buildings erected in Valletta. In 1761-1765 it was rebuilt in the Rococo style for the aristocrat Ramon de Sousa y Silva. When Malta was occupied by the French, a seminary was set up in the mansion. After the departure of the French, for some time the house belonged to the commander of the fleet, Alexander Ball. At the beginning of the 19th century, the palace received a guest of honor - Louis Charles, Viscount de Beaujolais, who was related to the French king. It was here that de Beaujolais died. In 1821, the mansion was converted into the residence of a British admiral. Since then, this building has been called the Admiralty. Only in 1961 the mansion ceased to be an administrative building, it was closed for reconstruction. Thirteen years later, in 1974, a large collection of works of art was transported here from Auberge Provence, which did not fit into the framework of the Archaeological Museum opened within its walls. Thus, the Maltese government established another museum in Valletta - an art museum.
The museum's exposition is based on the collection of art critic Vincenzo Bonnelo, formed at the beginning of the 20th century. The greatest interest in Bonnelo, who bought art canvases at various European auctions, was aroused by paintings of the Baroque period. The works of Italian artists such as Guido Reni, Mattia Preti, Caravaggio, Perugino are widely represented here. In several rooms, canvases by Maltese masters are displayed. Also interesting are the collections of antique furniture and majolica made in Sicily.
