Eruption of Mount Vesuvius
Date
1766
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
width (print): 385mm
height (page): 320mm
width (page): 452mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Night view of the eruption of Vesuvius on 20th October 1767, as seen from beside ‘The Mole’ lighthouse in Naples, visible on the left hand side of the plate [as viewed]. Sailing boats are visible in the foreground, while large plumes of reddish smoke fill the sky in the centre and right side.
Plate 6 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘VI’ in the top left corner.
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.42888
Plate 6 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘VI’ in the top left corner.
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.42888
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