Crater of Mount Vesuvius

    Date
    1776
    Creator
    Pietro Fabris (1738, Italian) , Painter
    Object type
    Library reference
    42888
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (print): 210mm
    width (print): 385mm
    height (page): 320mm
    width (page): 452mm
    Subject
    Content object
    nature
       > volcano
    Description
    A view of an eruption of lava from the crater of Mount Vesuvius. The cone of Vesuvius is covered with snow, and the lava runs in different streams from the crater.

    Plate 5 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘V’ in the top left corner.

    Written in the associated description: ‘taken from an original painting of Mr. Fabris done from nature about 22. years ago. […]

    The streams of lava that run down the steep flancks of the Volcano, always cut regular and narrow channels, so regular as to appear the work of art’.

    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.17570
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