Monte Nuovo
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): 453mm
width (plate): 385mm
height (page): 320mm
width (page): 453mm
Subject
Content object
Description
View from the bottom of the crater of Monte Nuovo, near Puzzoli. Foliage covers the crater's surface, and a thin stratum of lava is visible on both the left and right. Four figures are visible, one of which is William Hamilton, who is positioned centrally and wears a red overcoat.
Plate 27 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘XXVII’ in the top left corner.
Written in the associated text: '[The mountain was] formed in 48. hours in the year 1538, near Puzzoli.
[...] This Mountain is composed partly of a light yellow Tufa, like that through which the Grotta of Pausilipo is cut (See P.XVI.); but not of so hard a nature, and partly of loose Volcanick matter, which perfectly corresponds with the curious account of the formation of the mountain. This Tufa was formed by water having mixed with the Volcanick Cinders at the time of the Eruption'.
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 27 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘XXVII’ in the top left corner.
Written in the associated text: '[The mountain was] formed in 48. hours in the year 1538, near Puzzoli.
[...] This Mountain is composed partly of a light yellow Tufa, like that through which the Grotta of Pausilipo is cut (See P.XVI.); but not of so hard a nature, and partly of loose Volcanick matter, which perfectly corresponds with the curious account of the formation of the mountain. This Tufa was formed by water having mixed with the Volcanick Cinders at the time of the Eruption'.
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