Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.17598

    Atrio di Cavallo

    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
       > volcano
    Description
    View into the valley of Atrio di Cavallo that lies between Mount Somma and Mount Vesuvius. Somma is just visible on the left [as viewed] and Vesuvius is depicted with plumes of smoke rising from its cone. Seven figures are visible in the foreground, one of whom is chaperoned on a litter.

    Plate 33 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘XXXIII’ in the top left corner.

    Written in the associated description: 'Valley through which the lava of the last three eruptions has taken its course: the rugged parts are the Scoriae of the lava, which have the appearance of a gigantick plowghed field.'

    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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