Polished lava
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
Twelve specimens of polished lava from Mount Vesuvius.
Plate 49 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed 'IL’ in the top left corner.
Written in the associated description: 'The black and white spots in the lavas are in general cristals such as are represented (P.LIV. n.6 & 7.) Acids do not affect pure lava, but an acid applied to the specimen represented n.6 causes an effervescence, because the white spots are marble calcined and not cristals as in the others [...] The most sensible difference in the lavas of Vesuvius are represented in these twelve specimens.'
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 49 from Campi Phlegraei: observations on the volcanos of the two Sicilies by William Hamilton. The plate is inscribed 'IL’ in the top left corner.
Written in the associated description: 'The black and white spots in the lavas are in general cristals such as are represented (P.LIV. n.6 & 7.) Acids do not affect pure lava, but an acid applied to the specimen represented n.6 causes an effervescence, because the white spots are marble calcined and not cristals as in the others [...] The most sensible difference in the lavas of Vesuvius are represented in these twelve specimens.'
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