Pair Of Neapolitan Gouaches Eruption Of Vesuvius Italy Boats May 27, 1858 19th Century

Pair of Neapolitan gouaches* depicting the Italian volcano Mount Vesuvius** erupting on May 27, 1858 (an eruption of ash and an eruption of lava), with boats in the Bay of Naples in the foreground, entitled "Eruzione del Vesuvio del 27 maggio 1858", from the 19th century. These gouaches are in good general condition. They are in their frames and have their original glass. Unsigned. Note: some accidents and losses on the frames, stains (notably a large damp stain in the middle of the gouache with eruption of ash) and traces of old folds on the paper, some dirt and dust between the glass and the gouaches, wear of time, take a good look at the photos. * Neapolitan gouaches aroused the interest of tourists in the 18th and 19th centuries, eager to return home with images and souvenirs of their travel. Gouache remained the preserve of Naples, one of the most important cities in Europe under the Bourbons and a mandatory part of the itinerary of the Grand Tour of Italy, a journey complementary to the studies undertaken by all distinguished Europeans. Mostly anonymous and small in size to facilitate transport, these so-called minor works, handcrafted, have delighted generations of tourists. Vesuvius by day or night, in eruption, and the Bay of Naples are the most frequently found themes. Those depicting Vesuvius in eruption were often framed with a black margin where the artist indicated the year and day of the eruption depicted. Many painters devoted themselves to this pictorial genre. The production of Neapolitan gouaches lasted for more than a century, until the emergence of new techniques such as the reproduction of engravings, from 1840, and photography. (According to Regard'antiquaire). ** Mount Vesuvius is an Italian volcano with a height of 1,281 meters, bordering the Bay of Naples, to the east of the city. It is the only volcano in continental Europe to have erupted in the last hundred years, although it is currently dormant; its last eruption was in 1944. It is responsible for the destruction of the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis and Stabiae, buried on August 24, 79, under a rain of ash and mud. It has erupted many other times over the last millennia and is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world due to its explosive tendency and especially the large population that lives around it. Frame: lava: 81 cm x 57 cm ash: 80.5 cm x 56.5 cm Dimensions: gouache lava: 72 cm x 48.5 cm ash: 72 cm x 48 cm Reference : 910 285 All photos are on: www.antiques-delaval.com