Grand Master Jean de Valette

This painting " commemorates one of the most dramatic events in the annals of the Order of St. John`s history. Jean de Vallette is portrayed as the supreme hero of the siege, impassively determined in triumph and glory, beside fallen comrades and drifting gun smoke. Wearing full armour with a white cross on the red sopravest, de Vallette holds in one hand his helmet while the baton in his right hand underlines his magistral role in directing his troops in battle against the onslaught of the forces of Suleyman the Magnificent. Here Favray is extremely evocative as he freezes for a moment the significance of the siege victory for posterity." Citation: Palace of the grand masters in Valletta / consultant editor, Albert Ganado. - Valletta, Malta : Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, 2001, pg. 205