Shipping in a rough sea off Malta

A large detailed painting showing the entrance to Malta's Grand Harbour with ships seeking the haven in a storm. The view is sea level and there are two ships of the Maltese Order heading for cover the storm and a third has already reached the outer walls. The forts of Ricasoli and St Elmo, where the Knights Hospitallers made their prime bases, defend the harbour approach and are accurately depicted on either side of the harbour mouth. This entrance is shown as a haven to shipping hurrying to escape from the raging storm. Lightning and driving rain can be seen on the right of the painting. Although the painting has traditionally been attributed to Vanvitelli it is now thought more likely to be by Alberto Pullicino, baptised in Valletta, on 6 February 1719. Little is known about him except that he produced two comprehensive sets of views of the Maltese harbour region, several series of views of Malta. His great patron was Stephano Francesco Turgot de Brucourt. The artist demonstrated great technical skill and from these accurate landscape views Pullicino also published a series of etchings. There is another similar view in the collection, see BHC1891.
Alberto Pullicino