Hidden masterpieces! French-era decorations uncovered in Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta
The paintings show rare mythological scenes featuring mischievous cherubs.
If you think you know Valletta’s Grand Master’s Palace inside out, think again! Recent restoration work on one of the palace’s balconies has revealed a treasure trove of rare decorations, dating back to Malta’s brief French period (1798–1800).
The freshly restored balcony, which overlooks Archbishop Street and connects two of the palace’s grand halls, now shows painted motifs strikingly similar to those uncovered in three halls that were recently opened to the public: the Four Continents Room, the French Room, and the Room of the Order of St Michael and St George. These halls, part of what was once the Grand Master’s summer apartment, were restored last year, with painstaking attention to the wooden ceilings, frescoes, and marble and flagstone floors.
What makes these discoveries so fascinating is that painted decorations from the French period in Malta are exceedingly rare. Unlike other palace artworks that celebrate the Order or religious themes, these hidden gems depict scenes from classical mythology and popular allegories of the late 18th century, such as continents personified and mischievous putti (cherubs) at play. During the restoration, small vignettes of putti were discovered, including one where a little cherub is painting while another watches closely.
The artwork had been hidden for centuries, covered under layers of paint likely applied during the early British period. Heritage Malta’s restoration team has carefully preserved these decorations, taking samples for further study to determine the safest way to fully reveal the delicate artwork without causing damage.
Historical records support these findings: in December 1798, payments were made to a Maltese artist for decorations at the Palais National, what the Grand Master’s Palace was called during the French occupation. Later, in 1888, Blanche Lintorn Simmons, daughter of the governor, described mythological scenes on the ceiling of what is now the French Room, traces of which are now being rediscovered.
Have you visited the palace recently?