Naples

    Date
    1776
    Creator
    Pietro Fabris (1738, Italian) , Painter
    Object type
    Library reference
    42888
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (plate): 210mm
    width (plate): 385mm
    height (page): 320mm
    width (page): 452mm
    Subject
    Content object
    nature
       > volcano
    Description
    A view of Naples from Pausilipo. The sea is dotted with sailing boats, and the coastline in Naples covered in white houses. The Caste of Saint Elmo is visible in the middle of the scene, on top of a hill, and the Mountain of Somma and Mount Vesuvius are visible on the right [as viewed]. A woman and child look on from the shore.

    Plate 3 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘III’ in the top left corner.

    Written in the associated description: ‘Every view of Naples and its neighbourhood is beautiful, owing greatly to the variety in forms of the different elevations […] There is a great beauty likewise in the luxuriancy of the vegetation with which they are cover’d.’

    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.17569
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