Title: Plate V: ‘View of an eruption of lava from the crater of mount Vesuvius, taken from an original painting of M. Fabris, done from nature, about 22 years ago.’

Creator: Pietro Fabris (fl 1740-1792)

Description: Published in Hamilton, W, ‘Campi Phlegraei, ou, observations sur les volcans des Deux Siciles’. Nouvelle éd. edn. Paris: Chez Lamy, (1799)

The source of this plate, ‘Campi Phlegraei…’, is a first hand account of the eruptions witnessed by Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803), British envoy to Naples between 1764-1767.  Originally published in three volumes (1776-1779), the title took its name from the area around Naples popularly referred to as ‘Campi Phlegraei’ or ‘flaming fields’, owing to the frequent and violent eruptions of Mount Vesuvius.

Date: 1799

Format: Hand coloured etching

Image reference: 02-33

Recommended print size: Up to 20 x 16 inches (50 x 40cm)