Wirt Għawdex is inviting the public to attend the fourth of its series of lectures for the 2025-2026 season. The lecture ‘Stone, Skill, and Patronage: The 19th Century Building Trade in Gozo’ will be delivered in English by Charles Cassar.
The study of artistic development in Gozo during the nineteenth century has largely been neglected, possibly owing to the impression that no significant architectural works had been developed in Gozo, an island which, during this period, was socio-economically and politically far removed from its larger sister island and thus distant from the heart of artistic innovation.
During this period, there were hardly any laws regulating the architectural profession. Within the industry, a small group of individuals known as periti agrimensori existed. These primarily served as land surveyors rather than fulfilling other roles. Additionally, several stonemasons provided all necessary craftsmanship in the field.
Patronage plays a vital role in the creation of all forms of art. An interesting insight will be provided into the mechanisms of patronage in place at the time, which enabled the realisation of architectural works.
Mr Cassar is the author of Stones of Faith – Tombstones, Funerary Rites, and Customs at the Gozo Matrice (2012). His upcoming publication, titled Ecclesiastical Architecture in Nineteenth Century Gozo – Context, Working Methods and Patronage, is to be released shortly.
Whoever wishes to attend for this lecture is kindly asked to sign up.Seating is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis. Priority is given to those who register.
