Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.17583

    Lake of Agnano

    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
       > landscape
    Description
    View of the Lake of Agnano, a crater formed by an ancient volcano, and the Grotta del Cane (cave of dogs). The latter lies within the mountainside on the left hand of the side of the plate [as viewed].

    Plate 18 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘XVIII’ in the top left corner.

    Written in the associated description: 'the water of the Lake seems to boil, bubbles of air rising on the Surface hastily, and constantly [..]

    The famous Grotta del Cane. It is about 12 feet long, 4 broad, and about 9 feet high at the entrance, and much less within, hollow'd with little art in the mountain, composed of Strata of erupted matter.'

    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
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