Focus on Les Gavroches and explain the History.
Sciortino completed Les Gavroches in 1904 while he was living in Rome. By the following year, the sculpture had been exhibited in Rome and Paris. It was eventually taken to Malta by the Society of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce, at a cost of £120 including packing and dock charges.
In 1907, the society presented the statue to the government, and it was inaugurated in the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The sculpture's base contains an inscription commemorating the society's donation of the statue. During World War II, it was removed in order to ensure its safety, but it was put back in place after the war ended.On 16 January 1951, Prime Minister George Borg Olivier presented a small bronze model of Les Gavroches made by Sciortino to Princess Elizabeth (who became Queen Elizabeth II) in a ceremony held at Auberge d'Aragon.Due to exposure to the elements, the statue suffered some deterioration over the years. It was removed from the gardens for restoration, which was carried out by Sante Guido at no charge as a gesture of goodwill. The restoration was completed in 2000, and to prevent future degradation the statue was transferred to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta. It is now located at MUŻA.A replica of the statue was later placed in its original location at the Upper Barrakka. In 2012, environment and culture minister Mario de Marco selected Les Gavroches as Malta's top treasure to be added to Europeana.
Elizabeth II s d Malta National Museum of Fine Arts Valletta Rome Auberge d'Aragon Gavroche Upper Barrakka Gardens George Borg Olivier Europeana MUŻA Paris Mario de Marco World War II