International contemporary art platform21.01.1636–04.09.1667
Melchiorre Cafà
Melchiorre Cafà (1636–1667) was a Maltese Baroque sculptor and brother of architect Lorenzo Gafa. Active in Rome and Malta, his promising career was cut short by an accident at work, leading to his early death.
Biography
Melchiorre Cafà, also known by variants such as Caffa, Gafa, Gaffar, or Gafar, was born on January 21, 1636, in Birgu, Malta. He belonged to Maltese culture and was a prominent figure in Baroque sculpture. As the brother of architect Lorenzo Gafa, Melchiorre dedicated his life to art and became recognized as a talented sculptor of his time. He worked in Rome, contributing to the development of Baroque sculpture by creating works that reflected the style and aesthetics of the era. Melchiorre Cafà’s artistic career was cut short at the age of thirty-one due to a workplace accident, which led to his untimely death on September 4, 1667, in Rome. Despite his short life, his works remain important for understanding Maltese and Italian Baroque art.
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