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At
the age of 16, Pisani was admitted to the distinguished Accademia di
San Luca in Rome where he studied under great masters of that time.
During his permanence in Rome, Pisani attended also evening classes
at the British Academy of Arts.
Malaria brought to an end Pisani's studies in Rome. After a long recovering from his illness, he was encouraged by Mgr. Paolo Pullicino and Giuseppe Canevelli an Italian Commendatore, to resume his artistic activities. Besides being an able artist, Pisani was also involved in teaching, both privately and within public institutions. Some of his pupils made a career in art and amongst these, one can mention Abram Gatt, Emmanuele Buhagiar and Toussaint Busuttil. Pisani also introduced in the artistic field his younger cousins Antonio and Francesco Saverio Sciortino. These in turn established themselves as sculptors in Rome and Canada respectively and gained an international reputation.
Lazzaro Pisani worked extensively throughout his life, right until his death at his summer residence in St. Paul's Bay on the 31st August 1932. In contemporary papers, he was often described as a gentleman of rare modesty. He frequented numerous cultural activities and was very keen on studying. His favorite venues were the Bibliotheca where he spent hours studying and Nani's Emporium in South Street at the time frequented by important personalities. It is difficult to find a Maltese church which is not adorned with one of Pisani's works. Besides from sacred art, Pisani was very much sought after to produce portraits for elite figures, with most of whom he was befriended. His friendship with the Strickland family earned him the commission of three portraits of Lady Edeline Strickland and another one of her father.
The Death of Abel, earned Pisani a Silver medal at the Colonial exhibition held in London in 1885.
Out of his vast oeuvre, one should single out the works he carried out for the Nadur Basilica. Pisani embarked on his Magnum Opus at the age of 56 and continued for the following 12 years (1915-27) to complete a total of 153 paintings. This work, covering some 390 square meters of canvas now adorns this magnificent Basilica which was remodelled according to Francesco Sciortino's architectural designs.
At St. Philip's parish church, Zebbug, one can find a selection of Pisani's best works. These include the segments of the main dome featuring the eight Beatitudes and four Fathers of the Church which are depicted in its pendentives, as well as four altar pieces - that of the Holy Rosary, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, of The Virgin of Consolation and of the Immaculate Conception. The antependium for the high altar was also executed in silver to Pisani's design.
This important personality in the history of Maltese Art, is being commemorated with a Lecture accompanied by a powerpoint presentation featuring some of his works on Saturday 11th November at the 12th May Band Club, Zebbug, at 19.30hrs. The lecture will be delivered by Mr. Lino Borg, BA. MA, an art teacher at a local Secondary School and at the University of Malta. Mr. Borg is also a close collaborator of the artist's daughter Ms. Maria R. Pisani, who is currently conducting an extensive research about the artistic career of her father. The lecture will be followed by Soprano Joan Mangion's, interpretation of two of Pisani's favourite arias from Giachomo Puccini's Opera, La Boheme. An exhibition including original bozzetti for the Nadur Basilica and St. Philip' s Parish Church will also take place before and after the lecture. All art lovers and the general public are invited to attend.