Frederica Agius has been announced by Palazzo Parisio as its newly-appointed in-house curator – a role befitting the art historian who conducted research on the 18th century palazzo in Naxxar for the theses of both her Bachelor and Masters degree.
Frederica, who completed her doctorate in visual and literary sources for Leonello Spada’s fresco cycle at the Grandmasters Palace (1610) in 2021 and is currently a Master of Philosophy candidate with the University of Malta, will be focusing on research and projects that continue to peel back the Palazzo’s rich historical layers.
“Palazzo Parisio is one of the best examples of Eclecticism in Malta, though if I’m being precise, the correct term is Progressive Eclecticism since we have one of the earliest expressions of art nouveau on the island,” she shared.
“It’s an exciting period that closed off the 19th century and explored the freshness of the new epoch with all its modern tendencies.”
Following her extensive research on the palazzo, “It made complete sense for Frederica to join the family and ever since, she’s uncovered all manner of treasures and information we feel honoured to have,” the Palazzo’s team noted.
These include telegrams and letters relating to its famous marble hand rest in the grand staircase, touted to be the largest, heaviest single piece of marble on the island, that was successfully installed on its third attempt.
“The first sank with its transport off the coast of Sicily, the second almost made it but cracked on arrival and the final one made it in one piece. It’s no joke, ordering a six-metre-long slab of marble all the way from Italy,” says Frederica, adding that the Marquis only worked with the best at the time – the marble suppliers also worked with the V&A Museum in Kensington.
“My focus here is to carry out various projects that explore the history of the palace while continuing to work on the education programme along with audience immersion and interaction.”
Photography courtesy of Palazzo Parisio
