Art and Art History at UM

The Department had the pleasure to host Dr Yuriko Jackall, Head of European Art, Detroit Institute of Art, and Curator of the upcoming major exhibition entitled 'Caravaggio's Models' at DIA in 2027.
The exhibition project brings together international research and scholarship in the field, including the work of Professor Keith Sciberras on the subject of self-representation in Caravaggio's final years.
"Caravaggio’s Models looks at the art of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610) through the lens of the complex, unexpected, and sometimes tragic lives of his best-known models. As the first show to focus on the real people “behind” Caravaggio’s canvases, it offers a groundbreaking perspective on the artistic practice of this giant of the Italian Baroque period. Featuring approximately 25 paintings, it is the largest presentation of his works to be held in North America in several decades" (DIA, website).

Photos from Dr Jackall’s visits to the Oratory of the Decollato, to the ‘Images of Reform’ exhibition (Valletta Campus) and to the ‘Spirit and Flesh’ exhibition (Casino Maltese).

Photos from the conference ‘The Sacred Within - The chapel through Art, Liturgy, and Theology in the Early Modern Era’ organised by Universita’ degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata at Sa Maria Sopra Minerva.
Chaired by Professor Guendalina Serafinelli the sessions included contributions by scholars from the Angelicum Pontifica Universita’, Universita’ Tor Vergata, Getty Research Institute, University of Malta, Pontificia Universita Gregoriana, and CASVA, National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Professor Keith Sciberras discussed performance and the activation of ritual space in Caravaggio’s work.

Academics criticise ‘abysmal failure’ to protect Siġġiewi church ruins Art historians warn development next to Siġġiewi church ruins will “irretrievably” damage heritage context

We are delighted to release the details of the next temporary exhibition at Il-Ħaġar | Heart of Gozo Museum: a landmark Ġużeppi Briffa retrospective bringing together under one roof a large cross-section of works – no fewer than 110 – by this remarkably prolific artist, presenting his talent across its many facets. These include his work for churches, his assured draughtsmanship, his painterly sensibility, and his intelligent engagement with popular culture.

Curated by Dr Christian Attard and structured around six thematic anchors, this exhibition proposes that Ġużeppi Briffa’s work occupies a complex mediating position, straddling an intersection that remains, on the one hand, shaped by a late 19th-century demand for clarity and readability and, on the other, by an emerging desire to question the status quo and challenge visual conventions.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐆̇𝐮𝐳̇𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐢 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐚 is being presented in the context of the 29th edition of the Victoria International Arts Festival, and will be inaugurated on Sunday 21 June 2026 at 11:00. Everyone is invited to the official opening. The exhibition runs until 8 September 2026 and can be viewed during Il-Ħaġar Museum’s opening hours of 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Sunday (including public holidays). Admission to Il-Ħaġar is free.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐆̇𝐮𝐳̇𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐢 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐚 is supported by Art and Art History at UM, Klabb Kotba Maltin, CVCMEDIA.mt, Malta Tourism Authority, and Heritage Malta.

Over the past weeks the UM Gallery of Art (FUMAC) and the Alfred Chircop Trust have strengthened their collaborative agreement for the display of artworks by Alfred Chircop at the Valletta Campus. This further strengthens commitment to research and scholarship, particulary by making such artworks easily available for study. Pictured here are Trust members Dr Clinton Calleja, Pierre Bugeja, and Paul Haber with Professor Keith Sciberras, Lucienne Bugeja, and Chiara Galea

The Department warmly congratulates Ms Kylie Grech on her successful defence of her M.A. dissertation in Art History. Her research focused on ‘Frank Portelli (1922-2004): Interior Design for the Hospitality Industry in Malta - Change and Modernity’, under the supervision of Prof Conrad Thake and Dr Mark Sagona.

The Board of Examiners was composed of Prof Keith Sciberras (chair), Dr Christian Attard, Dr Gilbert Calleja (members), and Prof Michael White (Department of History of Art, University of York, Non-visiting external examiner).

If you would like to build your career in the art world, get in touch with us! Building on almost 40 years of experience, the Department now offers two programmes at undergrad level: B.A.(Hons) in Fine Arts and B.A.(Hons) in Art History.