MUŻA Exhibition on Caruana Dingli Strengthens Heritage Malta’s Cultural Tourism Offer
A new MUŻA exhibition marking 150 years of Edward Caruana Dingli showcases his portraits and folkloristic works, reinforcing Malta’s cultural tourism appeal.
Heritage Malta has opened a new exhibition at MUŻA in Valletta marking 150 years since the birth of Edward Caruana Dingli, one of the country’s most influential artists. The display is part of the museum’s broader programme exploring Malta’s artistic heritage and attracting cultural visitors.
The exhibition brings together a selection of Caruana Dingli’s works from the National Collection, highlighting the dialogue between his formal portraits and folkloristic paintings. His portraits of politicians, clergy, professionals and prominent families sit alongside scenes of village streets, religious feasts, markets and working people.
Caruana Dingli, born in Valletta on 10 August 1876, initially pursued a military career before turning to art. He became Malta’s leading portrait painter in the first half of the twentieth century and taught at the Government School of Art, influencing artists such as Willie Apap, Anton Inglott, Emvin Cremona and Esprit Barthet.
Mario Cutajar, MUŻA’s Director and Heritage Malta’s Chairman, said: “Edward Caruana Dingli had a significant impact on Maltese art. He was the favourite pupil of Giuseppe Calì and was the first to lead the School of Art after it was established. He taught successive artists who also left their mark on local art.”
Cutajar added: “We know him as a portraitist, and we all recognise the local character he managed to capture in his popular works depicting Malta as it once was. This exhibition celebrates the artist’s life and the works he left us. It is another exhibition within MUŻA’s broad programme celebrating the Maltese artist.”
The exhibition explores Caruana Dingli’s technique, from refined academic precision in his portraits to a freer, more painterly approach in his folkloristic scenes. Works such as ‘Chicken Hawker’ and ‘The Boschetto Fair’ are among the highlights.
A complementary publication will be available in the coming weeks as part of Heritage Malta’s Maltese Artists Series. The exhibition runs until 4 October and is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with admission included in the museum ticket.
More of Caruana Dingli’s works are on display in MUŻA’s permanent collection, including the lesser-known ‘Il-Ġlieda fil-Mandraġġ’, a recent acquisition by Heritage Malta. The exhibition reinforces the museum’s role in preserving and promoting Maltese artistic heritage while supporting the island’s cultural tourism sector.