The Boats of Malta: The Art of the Fishermen by Desmond Morris

This book sets out to record one of the major art forms of the Maltese Islands - the painted fishing boats. Each boat is a work of art. It would function just as well if it were painted an overall grey, but instead it displays a complex pattern of bright colours. Each boat has a unique pattern of colours and yet it remains unmistakably Maltese. Studying the complex variations of these colours reveals that each boat-owner is not only a practical fisherman but also an artist. So this book is a study of a local art form that adorns the coastline of Malta and that has done so for many years. It is also a record of the design and history of these boats.