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defence networks, a flourishing and prosperous economy and European contacts. All of this led
to the creation of new urban lifestyles (Buhagiar, 2009). Their presence brought prosperity, the
population increased and the island increased its communication with the rest of Europe. Trade
with foreign countries accelerated and so did the economic prosperity of the Maltese islands
(Mallia Milanes, 1994). However, it is only after the victorious battle of the Knights against the
Muslim Ottomans in 1565, known as the Great Siege, and after the new capital city of Valletta
was built, that one can get a hint of the first traces of collecting in Malta, some of which were
also open to the public.
For their palaces, chapels and churches the Grand Masters and Knights commissioned works
by artists such as Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573-1510), who produced some of his
masterpieces during his sojourn here in Malta, from July 1607 to October 1608 (Sciberras, 2009).
The Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta in time built up a collection of mainly religious paintings
and portraits by different European artists which can still be seen inside the Grand Master’s
Palace today and inside the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta.
A collection of weapons and armoury was also set up in 1604 when Grand Master Alof de
Wignacourt transferred the Sovereign Military Order of St John’s arsenal to the Palace. It is
important to note here that this collection of weapons and armoury, not just intended for use in
battle but also highly important status symbols, demonstrated the Knights reputation of ferocity
in battle. This collection was a showpiece conspicuously and grandly displayed to travellers and
potential future Knights. Caravaggio painted Grand Master Wignacourt wearing a prestigious
antique suit of armour from this collection. The Armoury is still housed in the Grand Master’s
Palace in Valletta and it is open to the public like it has been for many years, as will be discussed
further on.
The Knights sailed around the world and took part in many expeditions of exploration and
discovery, given impetus not only by their naval and military prowess, but also by the wish to
spread their Catholic faith (Centeio ed., 1998). The Grand Masters were characterized by their
stringent recognition of the spiritual authority of the Pope, a phenomenon that could also be felt
in their administration of the island. They achieved the status of ‘Most Eminent Highness’ and
they held the title of “Princes of the Holy Roman Empire.” Their power reached its greatest level
during the Baroque period and they highly promoted the Catholic faith. Their influence can
somehow still be felt today and this is also reflected in some of Malta’s national museums. Some
of the buildings today housing national museums, such as the National Museum of Fine Arts,
the National Museum of Archaeology and the National Museum of Natural History are in fact
Palaces built by the Knights mainly in a Baroque style.
Giovanni Francesco Abela (1582 - 1655): his collection transferred to the National Library
in Valletta and officially opened to the public.
The nobility and wealthy merchants are also known to have had collections inside their palaces
mainly located in the new capital city of Valletta. They owned large quantities of artworks known
from their inventories affixed to their wills. Some of these collections ended up being donated or
bequeathed and are today also found in some of Malta’s national museums.
One of the known important collections dating from the first half of the seventeenth century
belonged to the Maltese antiquarian collector Fra Giovanni Francesco Abela (1582- 1655). He
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