Overview
Illustrations for William Hamilton’s Campi Phlegraei
+ February 23, 1779
+ Peter Fabris
DETAIL
William Hamilton (1730–1803), a British diplomat in Naples, wrote Campi Phlegraei in two parts, documenting his observations of volcanic activity on Mount Vesuvius during the 18th century. The work, which marked a significant shift in volcanology, moved away from biblical narratives of catastrophe to precise observational descriptions. Hamilton enlisted the Neapolitan artist Peter Fabris to illustrate his findings, instructing him to depict the eruptions and geological features with the utmost fidelity. Fabris created fifty-nine gouaches, later engraved and hand-colored, which accompanied the work. These illustrations, showcasing the eruption of Vesuvius in 1779, capture the awe of volcanic activity through both macro and microscopic views.
Fabris's illustrations progress from wide landscapes to detailed renderings of volcanic materials like tufa, scoriae, and pumice. His work revolutionized the portrayal of volcanoes by focusing on the raw geological processes and wonder inspired by such natural events. The illustrations not only depict the eruption but also show figures caught in the chaos of the eruption, combining late-Romantic aesthetics with scientific observation.
The history of Vesuvius's eruptions dates back to 79 CE when Pliny the Younger described the eruption that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. In the late 1700s, after a period of dormancy, Vesuvius became active again, with many British travelers, including young gentlemen on the Grand Tour, visiting it. Hamilton guided some of these tourists to witness the volcano's sublime power, contributing to its cultural and scientific significance. The Wellcome Collection and Claremont Colleges Digital Library house selections of Fabris’ illustrations and a complete set of Campi Phlegraei.
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DETAIL
William Hamilton (1730–1803), a British diplomat in Naples, wrote Campi Phlegraei in two parts, documenting his observations of volcanic activity on Mount Vesuvius during the 18th century. The work, which marked a significant shift in volcanology, moved away from biblical narratives of catastrophe to precise observational descriptions. Hamilton enlisted the Neapolitan artist Peter Fabris to illustrate his findings, instructing him to depict the eruptions and geological features with the utmost fidelity. Fabris created fifty-nine gouaches, later engraved and hand-colored, which accompanied the work. These illustrations, showcasing the eruption of Vesuvius in 1779, capture the awe of volcanic activity through both macro and microscopic views.
Fabris's illustrations progress from wide landscapes to detailed renderings of volcanic materials like tufa, scoriae, and pumice. His work revolutionized the portrayal of volcanoes by focusing on the raw geological processes and wonder inspired by such natural events. The illustrations not only depict the eruption but also show figures caught in the chaos of the eruption, combining late-Romantic aesthetics with scientific observation.
The history of Vesuvius's eruptions dates back to 79 CE when Pliny the Younger described the eruption that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. In the late 1700s, after a period of dormancy, Vesuvius became active again, with many British travelers, including young gentlemen on the Grand Tour, visiting it. Hamilton guided some of these tourists to witness the volcano's sublime power, contributing to its cultural and scientific significance. The Wellcome Collection and Claremont Colleges Digital Library house selections of Fabris’ illustrations and a complete set of Campi Phlegraei.
Gallery











































DETAIL
William Hamilton (1730–1803), a British diplomat in Naples, wrote Campi Phlegraei in two parts, documenting his observations of volcanic activity on Mount Vesuvius during the 18th century. The work, which marked a significant shift in volcanology, moved away from biblical narratives of catastrophe to precise observational descriptions. Hamilton enlisted the Neapolitan artist Peter Fabris to illustrate his findings, instructing him to depict the eruptions and geological features with the utmost fidelity. Fabris created fifty-nine gouaches, later engraved and hand-colored, which accompanied the work. These illustrations, showcasing the eruption of Vesuvius in 1779, capture the awe of volcanic activity through both macro and microscopic views.
Fabris's illustrations progress from wide landscapes to detailed renderings of volcanic materials like tufa, scoriae, and pumice. His work revolutionized the portrayal of volcanoes by focusing on the raw geological processes and wonder inspired by such natural events. The illustrations not only depict the eruption but also show figures caught in the chaos of the eruption, combining late-Romantic aesthetics with scientific observation.
The history of Vesuvius's eruptions dates back to 79 CE when Pliny the Younger described the eruption that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. In the late 1700s, after a period of dormancy, Vesuvius became active again, with many British travelers, including young gentlemen on the Grand Tour, visiting it. Hamilton guided some of these tourists to witness the volcano's sublime power, contributing to its cultural and scientific significance. The Wellcome Collection and Claremont Colleges Digital Library house selections of Fabris’ illustrations and a complete set of Campi Phlegraei.
Gallery











































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