Geyser after an eruption, Iceland
Date
1797
Creator
Francis Chesham (1749 - 1806, British) , Printmaker
Creator - Organisation
After
6th Baronet John Thomas Stanley (1735 - 1807, British) , Scientist
Object type
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (plate): 283mm
width (plate): 378mm
height (print): 340mm
width (print): 515mm
width (plate): 378mm
height (print): 340mm
width (print): 515mm
Subject
Description
Landscape view of a geyser after an eruption, Iceland. Four men observe the crater at close range and a further three men and a horse can be seen in the foreground, mountainous landscape beyond.
Inscribed 'From a Drawing made on the spot in 1789. Engrav’d by F. Chesham. VIEW of the MOUND, & of the PIPE or CYLINDER from whence the GEYSER issues, as seen immediately after an ERUPTION. Published According to Act by N. Pocock, Great George Street, Westminster and W. Miller, Old Bond Street, 1797.'
Described 'The Geyser is the most remarkable of about 150 boiling Springs, which burst from the Ground in a circle of 2 or 3 Miles, between a River & a Range of Hills, on the North side of the Plain of Haukadal, which, in the south western district of Iceland, is situated 12 Miles from the Cathedral of Skalholt & 30 or 40 from Mt,, Heckla, they generally boil up in Cauldrons of from 2 to 12 feet in circumference, mixed with a blue, a red, or a yellow Clay, into which their steam has converted the Volcanic soil & substances near them. 3 or 4 alone, throw up their Water clear & to any height. 2, rise thro' Pipes as perfectly cylindrical as if constructed by Art. That of the Geyser is 61 feet in depth & 8 feet & a half in diameter. It opens into a Bason or Funnel about 8 feet deep, & 60 in diameter. Both have been evidently formed by gradual depositions from the Water, & a Mound round them has in like manner been formed 30 feet high & extending in various directions to distances of 80, 100 & 120 feet. The substance thus deposited, is of a light brown or rather grey colour, & is either smooth or covered with an Efflorescence like a Cauliflower, as the Water has flowed over it in streams, or descended on it, in showers of Spray. It has been examined by Professor Bergman & has been found to be chiefly Siliceous.’
Aquatint print of a geyser after an eruption by Francis Chesham.
Inscribed 'From a Drawing made on the spot in 1789. Engrav’d by F. Chesham. VIEW of the MOUND, & of the PIPE or CYLINDER from whence the GEYSER issues, as seen immediately after an ERUPTION. Published According to Act by N. Pocock, Great George Street, Westminster and W. Miller, Old Bond Street, 1797.'
Described 'The Geyser is the most remarkable of about 150 boiling Springs, which burst from the Ground in a circle of 2 or 3 Miles, between a River & a Range of Hills, on the North side of the Plain of Haukadal, which, in the south western district of Iceland, is situated 12 Miles from the Cathedral of Skalholt & 30 or 40 from Mt,, Heckla, they generally boil up in Cauldrons of from 2 to 12 feet in circumference, mixed with a blue, a red, or a yellow Clay, into which their steam has converted the Volcanic soil & substances near them. 3 or 4 alone, throw up their Water clear & to any height. 2, rise thro' Pipes as perfectly cylindrical as if constructed by Art. That of the Geyser is 61 feet in depth & 8 feet & a half in diameter. It opens into a Bason or Funnel about 8 feet deep, & 60 in diameter. Both have been evidently formed by gradual depositions from the Water, & a Mound round them has in like manner been formed 30 feet high & extending in various directions to distances of 80, 100 & 120 feet. The substance thus deposited, is of a light brown or rather grey colour, & is either smooth or covered with an Efflorescence like a Cauliflower, as the Water has flowed over it in streams, or descended on it, in showers of Spray. It has been examined by Professor Bergman & has been found to be chiefly Siliceous.’
Aquatint print of a geyser after an eruption by Francis Chesham.
Associated place