"the Gulf Of Naples With The Steamship Real Ferdinando I°," Tempera On Paper

Painting "The Gulf of Naples with the Steamship Real Ferdinando I°," tempera on paper, first half of the 19th century.
This refined and detailed tempera on paper depicts a striking view of the Gulf of Naples as seen from the Vomero area, with the imposing silhouette of Castel Sant’Elmo and the Certosa di San Martino dominating the horizon. The central element of greatest historical significance is the presence of a steamship characterized by a tall, dark funnel from which a trail of smoke rises, clearly identifiable as the Royal Ship Ferdinando I. This is a key iconographic detail that allows us to date the painting to a period shortly after 1818, the year in which this vessel—the first steamship in the Mediterranean—was launched at Stanislao Filosa’s shipyards in Naples. The composition reflects the style of the landscape painters active in Naples during the first half of the nineteenth century, who skillfully combined the classical landscape tradition with the depiction of the new symbols of Bourbon technological and industrial progress. The painting is meticulously rendered, capturing both the city’s architecture and the details of the sailing vessels, placing the scene within that prolific artistic tradition so highly prized by international travelers on the Grand Tour. As for its condition, the paper shows signs of creases that have formed over time, with marks along the edges; there are some water stains and other defects, fortunately located mainly along the outer margins of the sheet. Despite these issues, the paint layer remains clearly legible, and the colors retain their brilliance. Dimensions of the sheet: 37 x 30 centimeters.