Valletta Exhibition Reveals Unseen Giorgio Preca Paintings
Discover 31 previously unseen works by Maltese modern artist Giorgio Preca in Hidden Goddesses at Valletta’s National Museum of Archaeology. Inspired by the prehistoric Sleeping Lady, the exhibition explores the connection between Malta’s ancient heritage and modern artistic expression until 4 October 2026.
What happens when one of Malta’s pioneering modern artists encounters one of the island’s oldest archaeological treasures?
The answer lies in Hidden Goddesses: Unseen Paintings by Giorgio Preca, a remarkable exhibition at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta that reveals a collection of 31 previously unseen works by Giorgio Preca, inspired by Malta’s iconic prehistoric “Sleeping Lady”.
Running until 4 October 2026, the exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to discover an important body of work that remained hidden from public view for decades. Unveiled by the artist’s family following the success of the retrospective exhibition dedicated to Preca at MUŻA five years ago, the collection includes a striking self-portrait alongside bold reinterpretations of the Maltese goddess.
Best known as one of the pioneers of Maltese modern art, Giorgio Preca worked as a restorer at what was then the National Museum, housed in the very same Auberge de Provence where this exhibition is now taking place. Before leaving Malta permanently in 1956, he spent countless hours among the museum’s archaeological collections – experiences that almost certainly inspired the paintings visitors can admire today.
At the heart of the exhibition is the famous Sleeping Lady from the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. Rather than simply reproducing the prehistoric statuette, Preca transformed it through his distinctive artistic language of bold colours, expressive black outlines and simplified forms.
Malta’s iconic prehistoric “Sleeping Lady”
The result is a fascinating dialogue between Malta’s prehistoric past and twentieth-century artistic modernism.
To deepen this conversation, many of the prehistoric artefacts that inspired Preca – some original and others faithfully reproduced – are displayed alongside the paintings. The exhibition itself has been designed as a series of semicircular spaces arranged around a central passage, echoing the prehistoric architecture of Mnajdra and creating an immersive journey through Malta’s cultural memory.
Beyond their visual impact, the paintings explore enduring themes of heritage, identity, memory and representation. They also invite visitors to reflect on the role museums play in shaping national narratives and how archaeological discoveries continue to inspire artistic expression across generations.
The exhibition is particularly significant because one of its centrepieces, Sleeping Goddess (1972), has been generously donated by the artist’s family to the national collection under Heritage Malta’s care, ensuring that this important work will remain accessible to the public for generations to come.
Admission to Hidden Goddesses – Unseen Paintings by Giorgio Preca is included with entry to the National Museum of Archaeology. An illustrated exhibition catalogue is also available from Heritage Malta museums, sites and online, offering readers a lasting insight into this unique encounter between ancient heritage and modern creativity.
The exhibition space is fully accessible.
Get your tickets here!
