Fifteen stunning 17th-century paintings by Maltese master Stefano Erardi have finally been reunited under one roof! These beautiful depictions of the apostles, scattered across various government buildings and museums, have been meticulously restored and are now on display at the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu.

It all started in 2018 when Heritage Malta curators realised something fascinating - several apostle paintings by the artist were scattered across different locations. Some were at San Anton Palace, others at the Grand Master’s Palace, and even a few in ministry offices. Piece by piece, these masterpieces were tracked down and transferred back to Heritage Malta for much-needed conservation.

Restoring these historic paintings was no small task! Heritage Malta’s expert conservators, along with their scientific diagnostic team, dedicated months in 2024 to carefully preserving each artwork. They removed non-original paint, fixed damage, restored lost details, and even re-stretched the canvases to bring them back to their former glory.

The ‘Apostolato’ series was created around the 1670s and 1680s by Stefano Erardi and his workshop, known for their strikingly realistic depictions of saints. These paintings were highly sought after for churches and private collections. Though they come from at least two different sets, the artist's distinctive style - influenced by the dramatic lighting of Mattia Preti - is evident throughout.

Now, after years apart, these extraordinary paintings can be admired together at the Inquisitor’s Palace. Though archival records confirming their original placement are missing, experts confidently attribute them to Stefano Erardi based on stylistic evidence. Their presence at the palace also aligns perfectly with historic records showing that apostle paintings were a common feature in ecclesiastical collections.

If you're an art lover or are simply intrigued by this collection's journey, visit the Inquisitor's Palace in Birgu to step back in time and admire the beauty of Stefano Erardi’s apostles.

Had you ever heard of the Apostolato series?