|
 Cali
was born in Valletta on th 14th August, 1846, was
the son of Raffaele an artist and musician and of
Giovanna Padiglione, a meza-soprano. He was married
to Perennia Pace from Senglea and they had a big
family of ten children.
From early youth, Cali showed marked gifts and
considerable promise as an artist. His major work,
The Death of Dragut in 1867 placed at the Museum of
Fine Arts and that of St. Jerome in the year 1881
situated at the Sacro Cuor Church in Sliema, which
are still considered among his masterpieces.
He made an immediate impact on Maltese society and
soon became a household name. He steadily embarked
on a wide program of commissions for the decoration
of private houses, landscapes as well a portraits of
Maltese subjects. Cali's first religious paint was
The Virgin of the Rosary for the parish church of
Mosta. Numerous churches in Malta bear witness to
his versatility and mastery. He was a prolific
artist and founder of the modern school of Maltese
painting.
Cali's ability and virtuosity may be assessed in the
St. Domenic altarpiece in the parish church of Porto
Salvo, Valletta, The prophets in Mosta church the
portraits of Negotiante Agostino Cassar Torregini
and Guidice Carbone; the Tre Rome and The Nativity
at Luqa parish church. The Apotheosis of St. Francis
at St. Francis church in Valletta was purposely
painted by the artist to demonstrate his virtuosity
in the face of competition by foreign artist of
lesser merit. |
