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It passed into the ownership of the Order in the mid-18th century, when it was radically transformed into an exuberant Rococo palace. After 1798 the stately home was used mainly as the official residence of the commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, earning its name ‘Admiralty House’. Inaugurated in 1974, the Museum of Fine Arts, houses historic works of art and organises temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.
The greater part of the museum collection is made up of works of art that were originally displayed in buildings of the Order of St John. These were administered by the State following the departure of the Order from Malta in 1798. The collection of the paintings and sculptures was started in the early years of the 20th century. Since then, individuals and organisations have made important additions to the collection by way of donations and bequests. Significant acquisitions have also been made over the years. See also Recent Acquisitions.
The Fine Arts collection is displayed in a broadly chronological order with paintings grouped together by school, ranging from the early Renaissance to modern times. Italian Baroque features mainly Mattia Preti (1613-99) and paintings by the Caravaggists Mattias Stomer (1600-50), Jean Valentin de Boulogne (1601-32) and by Guido Reni (1575-1642). Art of the 18th century is largely represented by Antoine de Favray (1706-98). Other paintings by Maltese artists such as Francesco Zahra (1710-73) and Giuseppe Grech (1755-87) suggest the continued influence of Roman art on local developments.
The display of works from the 19th century reflects the historical changes in the governance of the Maltese Islands to a British colony. Works of this period are predominantly landscapes, executed in a naturalistic yet picturesque style. Maltese exponents are Giorgio Pullicino (1779-1851), Giovanni Schranz (1794-1882), and Girolamo Gianni (1837-95). A more Romantic strain is to be seen in works by Giuseppe Calì (1830-1915). The highlight of this section is a watercolour of the Grand Harbour by J.M.W. Turner, the only Maltese landscape known to be his.
The first decades of the 20th century are represented by a nucleus of paintings from the Italian school and by a sizable number of bronze and plaster sculptures by the Maltese artist Antonio Sciortino (1879-1947). Paintings and sculptures by Maltese artists represent the post-war years, showing the beginnings of abstract art and works in mixed media.
The museum also exhibits a representative range of majolica pharmacy jars with works ranging from the 16th to the 19th century, mainly used by the Hospitaller Order in the Sacra Infermeria, as well as a varied display of silverware.
