Mount Vesuvius

    Date
    1776
    Creator
    Pietro Fabris (1738, Italian) , Painter
    Object type
    Library reference
    42888
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (plate): 385mm
    width (plate): 210mm
    height (page): 452mm
    width (page): 320mm
    Subject
    Content object
    nature
       > volcano
    Description
    Seven views of the top of Mount Vesuvius captured over a four-month period.

    Plate 2 from the Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. Each figure is inscribed ‘I’ ‘II’ ‘III’ etc. [from left to right respectively] in the top corner.

    Written in the associated description: ‘Plans of the Top of Mount Vesuvius with the gradual increase of the little mountain in its Crater from the 8th of July to the 29th of Oct.r 1767 [...] From May to October the 19th, the mountain increased in higth from B. to F. about 200 feet.’

    William Hamilton (1730-1803) British diplomat, archaeologist and volcanologist was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766 on the merit of his volcanic observations. He received the Copley Medal in 1770 for his 'Account of a Journey to Mount Etna'.

    Pietro Fabris (1740-1792) was a British artist who accompanied Hamilton around Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius, and Lipari islands to document volcanic activities.
    Object history
    This book of hand-coloured plates represents part II of Campi Phlegraei. It complements Part I, which consists of letters only. Both were presented to the then President of the Royal Society, Sir John Pringle (1707-1782).
    Associated place
    <The World>
       > Europe
          > Italy
    Credit
    ©The Royal Society
    Image number
    RS.17568
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