Stefano Erardi

Stefano Erardi (1630–1716) was a Maltese painter whose works may be found in many churches around the Maltese Islands. His style has been described as either late Mannerist or Baroque.

Biography

Erardi was born in Valletta in 1630 to Sebastiano Erardi and Paulica Xerri. His younger brother Pietro was also a minor artist. Erardi married Caterina Buttigieg, and their son Alessio Erardi also became a painter. Domenichino and Guido Reni.

Works

Works by Erardi may be found in many church buildings throughout Malta and Gozo. Some notable paintings attributed to him include Adoration of the Magi (1667) at the Chapel of the Langue of Germany in St John's Co-Cathedral, Our Lady with the Child Jesus at Mdina cathedral, and St Zita and St James and St Barbara at the Gozo cathedral. Several churches in Valletta contain paintings by Erardi, including the Collegiate Parish Church of St Paul's Shipwreck, the Jesuit church, and the churches of Our Lady of Pilar, St. Mary of Jesus, St. Nicholas and St. Roque. Kirkop, Mosta, Msida, Naxxar, Qormi, Qrendi, Safi, Sannat, Victoria, Gozo and Żurrieq, along with the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa and in numerous other churches and chapels.

Other works may be found in the Wignacourt Museum, the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Inquisitor's Palace.