Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.17600

    Somma

    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 part of the inside of the cone of Mount Somma, as seen from the valley between Somma and Vesuvius. Four figures are visible observing the scene, including William Hamilton, who is dressed in a red overcoat.

    Plate 35 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed ‘XXXV’ in the top left corner.

    Written in the associated description: the strata 'have acquired a crust by time, that gives them the appearance of a light colour'd stone, but when broken, shew themselves to be true lavas'.

    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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