Figures waiting at the quay, Manoel Island, Malta, Fort Tigné beyond

Following the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the British Naval presence in the Mediterranean with Malta as the centre, became increasingly strong. The demand for images and mementos of Malta also grew and Girolamo Gianni became a leading artist in this category providing the images that were in high demand. Originally from Naples, Gianni settled in Malta in 1868 and during the next two decades executed numerous landscapes and maritime scenes, mostly of the harbour and other views around Malta. By the time of his death in 1895 Gianni had achieved international fame and was regarded as one of the greatest painters of Maltese scenary.