Lighting a Marouflage Ceiling
Light Design Solutions Ltd were approached by the restorers Atelier Del Restauro, to provide a lighting proposal for the newly restored ceiling painting at the chapel dedicated to the conversion of St. Paul in Valley road Birkirkara. The marouflage work recounts chapters from the life of St Paul Apostle in Malta and the ordination of the first Maltese Bishop – Light Design Solutions Ltd went on to design and install the pieces lighting system.
For millennia, churches were spaces with very little artificial light. During pre-dawn or night services, worshippers relied on candles or torches to illuminate their church, or used moonlight with which to see. But with the advent of electricity, churches that had once hosted prayers in darkness could now be lit with the glow of electric lights.
Properly illuminating a work of art can make a huge difference to how it is displayed; a well-lit work which moves its audience to tears might not have the same effect if it lies in shadow or is too brightly lit. With proper lighting techniques – whether an elaborate display or simply a soft and subtle highlight – an artwork can be admired safely and optimally for many years.
However, the main concern in choosing suitable lighting for an artwork is determining the conditions that will best preserve it. Aggressive lighting choices can cause heat and light damage, resulting in permanent colour distortion and deterioration.
When Light Design Solutions Ltd were approached by the restorers Atelier Del Restauro, to provide a lighting proposal for the newly restored ceiling painting at the chapel dedicated to the conversion of St. Paul in Valley road Birkirkara, they first conducted lighting calculations to verify the intensity, distribution and positioning of the potential light fittings, to light the piece while safeguarding its preservation, but also in order to ensure the accurate portrayal of the artwork’s colours. They sought out a high CRI (colour rendering index) in the lights to ensure an optimum colour vibrancy.
The installation of the lighting was also important; care was taken not to damage the walls, and no holes were drilled in the stone of the church’s cornice.
The marouflage ceiling of the newly restored St Paul’s Church is now perfectly lit and can be admired by worshippers and art enthusiasts alike.
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