St. John's Co-Cathedral — Chapel of the Langue of Auvergne

Chapel of the Langue of Auvergne

Identity & dedication

Langue: Auvergne (one of the Order’s French “languages”).

Dedication: Saint Sebastian (martyr). The chapel’s altarpiece depicts his martyrdom.

Chapel of Auvergne Altar — The Altarpiece

Art & architecture

Altarpiece (St Sebastian): described by Culture Malta as stylistically “between Mannerism and Caravaggism,” and flanked by massive Solomonic (twisted) columns. Some scholarship in Malta attributes a St Sebastian here to the knight-artist Lucas Garnier, whose work closely followed Guido Reni; in any case the work seen today is firmly Baroque in tone.

Baroque setting: The chapel’s stone wall-carving was completed in 1666 and later gilded in 24-carat gold leaf; the twisted columns reflect the Bernini fashion popular after 1624 (St Peter’s baldacchino). These features give the chapel its rich, early Baroque envelope.

One of the earliest altars: Together with the Provence chapel, Auvergne’s is cited as having one of the oldest altar arrangements in the church (mid-17th century).

Tombs & monuments

Grand Master Annet de Clermont-Gessant (d. 1660): His monument stands in the Auvergne chapel; he ruled the Order for just five months. (This is the principal commemorative monument here.)

Where it sits in the church

The Auvergne chapel is on the south (right) side aisle when facing the high altar, grouped with the other southern chapels (Philermos, Aragon, Castile-León-Portugal).

The list of individuals buried here are:

Grand Master Frà Annet de Clermont de Chates Gessant
Frà Amibile de Thiange
Frà François de Cremaulx
Frà René de Maisonseule
Frà Joseph Fassion de Sainte-Jay
Frà Claude de Montagnac de Larfeulière
Don Melchior de Robles
Frà Charles de Cremaulx
Frà Jean de la Baune de Foursat
Ġużeppi Nikola Żamitt

Why it matters

It encapsulates the French Auvergnat identity within the multinational Order, marries early Baroque carving & gilding with a dramatic martyrdom scene, and preserves the memory of a short-reigning Grand Master all in one intimate space./

Quick facts

Patron saint:	St Sebastian.
Main artwork:	Martyrdom of St Sebastian (Baroque; with Solomonic columns).
Key date:	Stone carving 1666; altar adornment mid-1600s.
Notable monument:	Grand Master Annet de Clermont-Gessant (1660).

2. Chapel of the Langue of Auvergne

Dedicated to Saint Sebastian.

Altarpiece shows his martyrdom; houses monument of Grand Master Annet de Clermont-Gessant (d. 1660).

Here’s a simple floor plan of St John’s Co-Cathedral chapels, showing their relative positions along the nave.

The Chapel of the Langue of Auvergne is on the south (right) side, second from the altar.

Altar & altarpiece (St Sebastian) are at the far end (east, facing into the nave).

Grand Master Annet de Clermont-Gessant’s tomb is set into the chapel, identified on the side wall (typical of the commemorative monuments in the langues’ chapels).

Side walls would also contain the gilded Solomonic columns and carved decoration.

Here’s a detailed plan of the Chapel of the Langue of Auvergne:

Entrance opens into the nave.

Altar & altarpiece (Martyrdom of St Sebastian) at the far end.

Solomonic columns flank the altar zone.

Tomb of Grand Master Annet de Clermont-Gessant set into the left wall.

Baroque gilded carvings richly decorate the walls and vault.