Agatha Grima

Agatha Grima is a distinguished Maltese paintings conservator, researcher, and heritage specialist whose work has played a significant role in preserving Malta’s artistic and ecclesiastical treasures. With expertise in the conservation of historic paintings, sculptures, and decorative schemes, she combines scientific analysis with art historical research to restore works while respecting their original materials and artistic intent. Through her conservation practice, Agatha Grima Conservators, she has led numerous high-profile restoration projects in churches, museums, and historic buildings across Malta.

Among her most notable achievements is her extensive conservation work at the Basilica of Our Lady of Porto Salvo and St. Dominic in Valletta. Over several years, Grima directed the restoration of masterpieces by the renowned Maltese artist Giuseppe Calì, including the church’s dome paintings, vault decorations, and the monumental Crowning of the Holy Virgin. She also oversaw the conservation of the basilica’s historic seventeenth-century statue of St. Dominic and the apse painting by Pietru Pawl Caruana, revealing original colours and details that had been obscured by centuries of deterioration. Her research and public lectures have further enhanced appreciation of the basilica’s artistic and cultural significance.

Agatha Grima is also an accomplished author and lecturer on art conservation, regularly publishing articles that explain the techniques, challenges, and discoveries involved in restoring Malta’s cultural heritage. Her work reflects a commitment not only to preserving historic artworks but also to making conservation accessible to the wider public through education and outreach. By combining technical excellence with historical scholarship, she has established herself as one of Malta’s leading figures in the field of cultural heritage conservation.