Mid-19th-century Neapolitan School: "mount Vesuvius Erupting," Souvenir Gouache Painting From The Grand Tour

Mid-19th-century Neapolitan School
Mount Vesuvius Erupting
Gouache on paper
Circa 1850
Gilded wooden frame in the Louis XVI style
Dimensions: h. 40; W: 51 cm

This gouache was created in the mid-19th century, likely following the 1848 eruption of Vesuvius, which was both implosive and explosive. The unusual perspective places us in the shoes of a spectator, perched atop the crater with a bird’s-eye view of the Bay of Naples. This framing, which is quite rare, is worth noting because most works from the Neapolitan school are painted from the vantage point of the Bay of Naples.

A work from the Neapolitan school
This painting movement, unique to Naples, is one of the most fascinating in Italy and found its primary source of inspiration in Mount Vesuvius. It developed throughout the 18th century until the early 20th century and is closely linked to the Posillipo School.

This rich body of work, depicting for the most part the Bay of Naples on clear days (diurnal) and at night (nocturnal), was intended for foreign collectors undertaking their Grand Tour.

Condition Report
Small stains in the right corner; missing sections of the frame