Crater of Solfaterra
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
width (plate): 385mm
height (page): 320mm
width (page): 452mm
Subject
Content object
Description
View of the crater of Solfaterra, 'in length about 1500 feet and about 1000 feet wide'. Plumes of steam rise from the strata on the right of the plate [as viewed] and William Hamilton, dressed in a red overcoat, looks on to the scene from the left.
Plate 25 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘XXV’ in the top left corner.
Written in the associated description: 'The rain waters seem to have formed a lake under the plain of the Solfaterra, which boils constantly by the remains of volcanick fire still deeper, and the hot vapour of this water issues constantly with violence in many parts. As the water that produces this vapour, is the same that forms the hot spring of the Pisciarelli.'
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.
Plate 25 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘XXV’ in the top left corner.
Written in the associated description: 'The rain waters seem to have formed a lake under the plain of the Solfaterra, which boils constantly by the remains of volcanick fire still deeper, and the hot vapour of this water issues constantly with violence in many parts. As the water that produces this vapour, is the same that forms the hot spring of the Pisciarelli.'
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