Burnell paintings exhibition by Heritage Malta

Twenty-five paintings by widely acclaimed and internationally respected Marine Artist Thomas J. Burnell, will be exhibited at the Malta Maritime Museum between the 1st and 14th of November.

During the last exhibition of the works of Mr. Burnell in October 2011, at the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu, the Marine Artist proposed to portray a crucial moment during Operation Pedestal. Mr. Burnell’s father sailed one of the surviving ships of the convoy.

Mr. Burnell painted in Gozo and Malta for many years and painted also historic events of Malta, such as “The Seed of Freedom”, an important snapshot of 1798, when British Admiral Nelson sailed to Mgarr, Gozo, and successfully negotiated with Archpriest Saviour Cassar, Gozo’s Superintendent, the surrender of the French from the island. Other works include “Penelope” and “Guillaume Tell”.

Both paintings will be exhibited amongst the 25 paintings for the public to enjoy. Mr. Burnell’s work and his way of painting is based especially upon the technique of the famous Dutch school. An admired and successful painter, his works were, often on invitation, exhibited for instance at the World Fair 1986 in Vancouver, Canada; 15 years on the International Boat Show in London, Earl’s Court; 4 years in London ExCeL Exhibition Center; in the Greenwich Museum; in the Royal Navy Dockyard and Museum in Portsmouth; 2 years in Arras, France; in Rotterdam, Netherlands; in Bristol on the final of the International Tall Ships race; 2 years on the International Boat Show in Dusseldorf, Germany; a special exhibition for English Heritage; regularly at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, UK; in Malta in the Citadella in Gozo, and in the Malta Maritime Museum, Birgu. Mr. Burnell was invited to exhibit his works in several Stately Homes. 

All his marine oil paintings have the unmistakable hallmarks of powerful, stunning seas and skies, whether they contain battles, seascapes or just classic ships of all shapes and sizes.

After accurately researching the subject from archives, he then transforms the canvas into breath-taking scenes of bravery and daring acts, providing a historical snapshot of the past. One of the not yet painted events, is the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. However, extensive research on the Great Siege has been completed and sketches have been made.

For more information about the exhibition one can call on 21660052.