Vincenzo Dimech facts for kids

Vincenzo Dimech (born June 29, 1768 – died February 2, 1831) was a famous Maltese artist who made sculptures. He was especially known for his beautiful religious statues, like the main ones in the churches of Gudja and Floriana. He also created large monuments and decorations for buildings in places like Valletta and Corfu.

The Life of a Sculptor

Vincenzo Dimech was born in Valletta, Malta, on June 29, 1768. His parents were Francesco and Siniforosa Dimech. He was baptized at the Porto Salvo Church. Interestingly, his cousin, Mariano Gerada, was also a sculptor.

Early Life and Education

From a young age, Vincenzo learned about art and sculpture in his father's workshop. This early training helped him a lot. Later, he went to study at a special art school called the Scuola delle Belle Arte in Naples. This helped him become an even better artist.

Teaching and Important Projects

Around 1806, Vincenzo became a professor. He taught Architecture and Sculpture at the School of Design, which was part of the University of Malta. He created many different types of sculptures. Many of his works were made from a local stone called Maltese globigerina limestone.

Vincenzo's art was so good that it was shown in art exhibitions in other countries. The British leaders in Malta noticed his talent. Governor Thomas Maitland asked him to create sculptures for a big palace in Corfu.

Family and Later Years

In 1802, Vincenzo Dimech married Saveria Mathea de Marco. They had a son named Sigismondo Dimech, who later became a law professor. Vincenzo passed away in Valletta on February 2, 1831, when he was 62 years old. He was buried at the Church of St. Theresa in Cospicua.

Vincenzo Dimech's Artworks

Vincenzo Dimech created many amazing sculptures. He is most famous for his religious statues. But he also made monuments and other art for public places.

Religious Statues

Statue of Saint Andrew, Marsaxlokk (1791)

Dimech is best known for the religious statues found in many churches across Malta. Two of his most famous works are the main statues:

• The statue of Saint Mary at the Gudja Parish Church. This was finished in 1807.
• The statue of Saint Publius at the Floriana Parish Church. This was finished in 1811.

Both of these famous statues are made of wood and are painted in many colors (this is called polychrome).

Other important wooden statues by Dimech include:

• A group of statues showing the baptism of Jesus at the Mosta Parish Church. He made these in 1806.
• A statue of Saint Joseph at St Helen's Basilica in Birkirkara. This one was sculpted in 1826.
• Some people believe he finished a statue of Saint Joseph in the Żurrieq Parish Church around 1825. This was after the first artist, Mariano Gerada, passed away.

Vincenzo also sculpted many religious statues from stone. These include:

• A limestone statue of Saint Andrew in Marsaxlokk (1791).
• A limestone statue of the prophet Elijah in Cospicua (1818).
• A marble statue of the Madonna and Child in Senglea (1814). This statue is often called il-Madonna tan-Nofs.

Monuments and Public Art

Monument to Sir Joseph Nicholas Zammit, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta (1824)

Vincenzo Dimech also worked on many public monuments and decorations.

Monument to Sir Alexander Ball

In 1810, Dimech created the sculptures for the Monument to Sir Alexander Ball in the Lower Barrakka Gardens. This monument has four special statues that represent:

• War
• Prudence (being careful and wise)
• Justice (fairness)
• Immortality (living forever)

The monument itself was likely designed by Giorgio Pullicino, who worked with Dimech at the university.

British Coats of Arms

During the early years of British rule in Malta, many buildings had the British coats of arms added to them. These were usually sculpted by Dimech. You can still see some of them today:

• Above the entrance of the Main Guard building.
• In Neptune's Courtyard at the Grandmaster's Palace.
• At the entrance to the Old University.

He also made them for old city gates that are no longer there, like the Porta Reale and Porta Marina.

Palace of St. Michael and St. George

Starting in 1819, Dimech worked on the sculptures for the Palace of St. Michael and St. George in Corfu. This large palace was built using Maltese limestone and Maltese workers. Vincenzo Dimech, along with his second cousin Ferdinando Dimech and a Greek sculptor named Pavlos Prosalentis, created all the sculptures inside and outside the palace.

Monument to Sir Joseph Nicholas Zammit

In 1824, Vincenzo won a competition to design a monument for Judge Sir Joseph Nicholas Zammit. This monument is located in the Upper Barrakka Gardens. It might have been the first time a public competition for a monument was held in Malta.

The monument shows a statue of Judge Zammit sitting on a special chair. This statue sits on a tall base decorated with symbols called fasces. Two stone lions, sculpted by Ferdinando Dimech, are placed near the base. This monument is considered one of Vincenzo Dimech's best works.