Portrait of Gaetano Zaumet Guardiano del Lazaretto Malta, Oct 1831, annos 60

This pencil sketch depicts a man smoking a long pipe, standing beside a low wall. Inscribed, lower left, in ink: ‘Gaetano Zaumet / Guardiano del Lazaretto / Malta. Octr. 1831. / annos 60.’ ‘Zaumet’ is likely a misspelling of the Maltese surname ‘Zammit’. The title ‘Guardiano del Lazaretto’ means ‘Guardian of the Lazaretto’ in Italian, the language preferred by the Maltese gentry and upper classes at this time. Lazaretto was the name given to the quarantine hospital located at Marsamxett Harbour, where incoming ships were obliged to report upon arrival in order to avoid the introduction of communicable diseases. Stored in album with PAH3803-PAH3810, PAH3812-PAH3825.