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Eruption of Mt Vesuvius, Seen from the Ponte della Maddalena in Naples, c.1783. Creator: Francesco Piranesi
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Eruption of Mt Vesuvius, Seen from the Ponte della Maddalena in Naples, c.1783. Creator: Francesco Piranesi
Eruption of Mt Vesuvius, Seen from the Ponte della Maddalena in Naples, c.1783. The eruption of Mt Vesuvius on 8 August 1779 caused great panic among the Neapolitans, for it reminded them of the catastrophe that destroyed Pompeii in AD 79. Although it is uncertain whether Desprez actually witnessed this event, he depicted it with the intensity of a personal experience. The outburst lights up the night sky and casts shadows as in daylight, dramatizing the figures desperate flight
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Media ID 36339285
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Action Ash Tree Bay Of Naples Desprez Louis Jean Dramatic Erupting Eruption Fleeing Francesco Piranesi Full Moon Gouache Paint Gulf Of Naples Lava Louis Jean Desprez Lunar Moon Mount Vesuvius Naples Campania Italy Napoli Campania Italy Europe Panic Panicking Piranesi Francesco Vesuvius Volcanic Volcanic Eruption Volcano Watercolour Paint
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This print by Francesco Piranesi, titled "Eruption of Mt Vesuvius, Seen from the Ponte della Maddalena in Naples, c.1783," offers a dramatic depiction of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that occurred on August 8, 1779. The event instilled fear among the Neapolitans, as it brought back memories of the devastating catastrophe that destroyed Pompeii in AD 79. Although the authenticity of Louis Jean Desprez's presence during the eruption is uncertain, his etching conveys the intensity of a personal experience. The eruption illuminates the night sky with its fiery outburst, casting long shadows as if it were daylight. Desperate figures are depicted in full flight, their silhouettes starkly contrasted against the backdrop of the erupting volcano. Mount Vesuvius, a familiar geographical feature of the Naples region in Italy, dominates the landscape. The ash-covered mountain, with its lava flows and smoke plumes, stands in stark contrast to the tranquil bay of Naples and the full moon that graces the night sky. The gulf of Naples, with its calm waters, reflects the lunar glow, adding to the surreal beauty of the scene. This masterpiece, a combination of etching, gouache paint, and ink, showcases the artist's skillful use of color and light. The volcanic ash, reminiscent of an ash tree, covers the ground, while the solar system's celestial bodies, including the moon and stars, provide a sense of scale and context. The bridge of Ponte della Maddalena, a vital Neapolitan landmark, is visible in the foreground, adding to the sense of urgency and chaos. The Sebeto river, with its dark waters, adds to the overall composition, creating a stunning visual representation of the power and unpredictability of nature.
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