Malta’s Post-War Watercolours: A Hidden History

Unveiling Malta’s Post-War History: Watercolours on Postcards

Tucked away in a quaint shop on Republic Street, Valletta, lies a treasure trove of Malta’s post-war history. The shop, known as ‘Postcard Paradise’, is a labour of love for its owner, Joseph, who has been collecting and selling postcards for over three decades. Among the vast collection, one finds a series of watercolours that tell a unique story of Malta’s post-war era.

Capturing a Moment in Time

These watercolours, painted by local artists in the 1950s and 1960s, offer a glimpse into Malta’s immediate post-war years. They depict scenes of everyday life, from the bustling streets of Valletta to the quiet villages of Gozo. The colours are vibrant, the strokes bold, capturing the essence of a time when Malta was rebuilding and redefining itself.

One such painting, titled ‘The Three Cities’, shows the fortified towns of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua from the Grand Harbour. The harbour, then a bustling hub of activity, is filled with ships, their sails painted in hues of blue and white. On the shore, people go about their daily tasks, their figures small but distinct, adding a human touch to the scene.

Artists and Their Stories

Many of these artists were self-taught, their skills honed from years of practice and observation. Some were sailors who spent their idle time painting the scenes they saw, while others were locals who found solace in art amidst the post-war chaos. Their stories, like their art, are a testament to Malta’s resilience and creativity.

Take for instance, Vincent Apap, a renowned local artist whose watercolours are part of this collection. Apap, a native of Żebbuġ, started painting at a young age. His works, often depicting Maltese landscapes and architecture, are known for their intricate detail and vivid colours. In ‘The Old Bakery, Żabbar’, Apap captures the charm of a traditional Maltese bakery, its stone walls and wooden shutters weathered by time and use.

Preserving Malta’s Post-War Heritage

Joseph, the shop owner, sees his collection as more than just a business. It’s a way to preserve Malta’s post-war heritage, to tell the stories of a time when the island was rebuilding, redefining itself. He hopes that through these watercolours, people can connect with their past, understand their present better.

‘These paintings are a part of our history,’ he says, ‘They remind us of where we’ve come from, what we’ve been through. They’re a piece of Malta’s story, and it’s important that we keep telling that story.’