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
    Subject
    Content object
    nature
       > volcano
    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
    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.17571
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